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Ecoregions of
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| 42i. Glaciated Dark Brown Prairie | Level IV Ecoregion |
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42b. Collapsed Glacial Outwash |
The Northwestern Glaciated
Plains ecoregion marks the westernmost extent of continental glaciation.
The youthful morainal landscape has significant surface irregularity
and high concentrations of wetlands. The rise in elevation along the
eastern boundary defines the beginning of the Great Plains. Land use
is transitional between the intensive dryland farming on Ecoregion 46i
to the east and the predominance of cattle ranching and farming to the
west on the Northwestern Great Plains (43).
The boundary of the Glaciated Dark Brown Prairie region marks a transition to drier conditions. Ecoregion 42i has a well-defined drainage system and fewer wetlands compared to the more recently glaciated Missouri Coteau Slope (42c) to the east. Land use is a mosaic of cropland and rangeland.
Physiography Area (square miles): 1075 Geology Surficial Material and Bedrock Soil Order (Great Groups) Climate Precipitation - Mean annual (inches) Potential Natural Vegetation Western wheatgrass, needleandthread, green needlegrass and blue grama. Little bluestem on thin soils. Some sage on droughty soils. Land Use and Land Cover Tilled mainly for durum or spring wheat and other small grains. Some irrigation near the Missouri River. |
