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Ecoregions of
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| 43j. Moreau Prairie | Level IV Ecoregion |
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43f. Subhumid Pierre Shale Plains |
The Northwestern Great Plains
ecoregion encompasses the Missouri Plateau section of the Great
Plains. It is a semiarid rolling plain of shale, siltstone, and sandstone
punctuated by occasional buttes and badlands. Native grasslands persist
in areas of steep or broken topography, but they have been largely replaced
by spring wheat and alfalfa over most of the ecoregion. Agriculture
is limited by erratic precipitation patterns and limited opportunities
for irrigation.
Occasional buttes, areas of badlands, and numerous salt pans appear on the Moreau Prairie. The soils derived from the Hell Creek formation tend to be alkaline, and make this ecoregion less productive agriculturally than the areas surrounding it (ecoregion 43a). most of the region is grazed by cattle, sheep, and antelope.
Physiography Area (square miles): 4138 Geology Surficial Material and Bedrock Soil Order (Great Groups) Climate Precipitation - Mean annual (inches) Potential Natural Vegetation Mixed prairie of western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, blue grama and buffalograss. Land Use and Land Cover Mostly cattle and sheep ranching. Occasional dryland farming of wheat and alfalfa. |
