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Driftless Area

Ecoregion in IA, MN, WI, IL

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The hilly uplands of the Driftless Area easily distinguish it from surrounding ecoregions. Much of the area consists of a deeply dissected, loess-capped, bedrock dominated plateau. The region is also called the Paleozoic Plateau because the landscape’s appearance is a result of erosion through rock strata of Paleozoic age. Although there is evidence of glacial drift in the region, its influence on the landscape has been minor compared to adjacent ecoregions. In contrast to adjacent ecoregions, the Driftless Area has few lakes, most of which are reservoirs with generally high trophic states. Livestock and dairy farming are major land uses and have had a major impact on stream quality.

— EPA

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Ecoregion