 |
Ecoregions of
|
| 47d. Missouri Alluvial Plain | Level IV Ecoregion |
| Home | The high agricultural productivity
of the Western Corn Belt Plains ecoregion is due to its fertile soil,
temperate climate, and adequate precipitation during the growing season.
This ecoregion has a relatively homogeneous topography of level to gently
rolling glacial till plains with areas of morainal hills and loess deposits.
The original tallgrass prairie vegetation has been converted to intensive
rowcrop agriculture of corn, soybeans, and feed grains to support livestock
production.
The human development of the Missouri Alluvial Plain over the last two centuries has separated the Missouri River from its floodplain. A system of dams, levees, and stream channelization has largely controlled the flood cycles to allow intensive agriculture in the river bottomland. Much of the northern floodplain forest has been cut, and oxbow lakes and wetlands have been drained to reclaim additional agricultural land.
Physiography Area (square miles): 349 Geology Surficial Material and Bedrock Soil Order (Great Groups) Climate Precipitation - Mean annual (inches) Potential Natural Vegetation Northern floodplain forest of cottonwood, green ash, boxelder, and elm; shrubs and woody vines in the understory. Land Use and Land Cover Intensively farmed for corn and soybeans. Transportation corridor. |
