Browse Map

Explore away

Explore Map Collection

Check out our basemaps

Print a Map Plus

Generate a high-quality PDF

Field Guide

Discover local flora, fauna, geology, and more

Local Flora & Fauna

Learn the ecology of your area

Local Geology

Learn the geologic formation at your feet

Get Started or Sign In

Welcome

Continue with Apple

Already have an account? Sign In

MAP

Topo

Measure

Topo

Ecoregions

Public Lands

...

BASEMAPS

Default Weather

Temperature

Smoke

...

WEATHER

Eastern Iowa and Minnesota Drift Plains

Ecoregion in IA, MN

Print Map

Generate High-Quality PDF

This ecoregion is geologically complex and is a transition between the bedrock-dominated landforms of the Rochester/Paleozoic Plateau Upland (52b) and the relatively recent glacial drift landforms of the Des Moines Lobe (47b). The eastern half of the ecoregion is covered with pre-Wisconsin glacial till while the western half is till plain and till-covered moraines with outwash from the Des Moines Lobe. The topography is gently undulating to level and formerly was vegetated with tallgrass prairie in the western and eastern parts of the ecoregion and oak savanna in the central part. Soils are a complex pattern of forest soils (Aqualfs and Udalfs) in the central part of the ecoregion where oak savanna was more dominant, and prairie soils (Aquolls and Udolls) to the east and west, where prairie was more dominant. Row crop agriculture, primarily corn and soybeans, is the dominant land use with pea crops scattered through the area. About 65% of this ecoregion was corn and soybeans and 15% pasture or grassland in 2013. 47g. Lower St. Croix and Vermillion Valleys This is a small ecoregion with a similar sized section in Wisconsin. The topography is rolling on the higher elevation ridges, to dissected along drainage courses, to flat in the Mississippi River floodplain and in outwash areas on top of the bluffs back from the edge of the floodplain. The former vegetation was tallgrass prairie and the soils are predominantly sandy and loamy well-drained Udolls. Current land use is corn and soybeans with scattered peas, and some pasture and hay. South of Interstate 94 and east of highway 95 much of the bluffs above the dissected stream corridors leading to the St. Croix River are covered with forest. About 50% of this ecoregion was corn and soybeans, 15% pasture or grassland, and 10% deciduous forest in 2013.

— EPA

Taxonomy

Classified As

Ecoregion