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

Karstic Northern Ozarkian River Bluffs

Ecoregion in IL

Print Map

Generate High-Quality PDF

The Karstic Northern Ozarkian River Bluffs ecoregion includes loess-mantled Mississippi River bluffs, ravines, and karst features that developed on underlying limestone; nowhere else in Illinois are there as many sinkholes, sinkhole ponds, and caves (Weibel and Panno, 1997). Ozarkian limestone glade flora, well developed karst, and distinctive amphibian and reptile assemblages characterize the ecoregion. The Karstic Northern Ozarkian River Bluffs (72l) is underlain by Mississippian limestone that is less resistant to erosion and groundwater solution than the cherty limestone of the neighboring Southern Ozarkian River Bluffs (72g); as a result, The Karstic Northern Ozarkian River Bluffs ecoregion has less rugged topography, better developed karst, and less surface drainage than Ecoregion 72g (Schwegman, 1973, p. 24). Soils are typically Alfisols. They developed from thick loess on bluff tops, and from thin loess, colluvium, or residuum on steep slopes (Natural Resources Conservation Service, various dates). Potential natural vegetation is mostly oak – hickory forest (Kuchler, 1964); in addition, loess hill prairies were once common on loess-covered bluff tops and steep slopes in The Karstic Northern Ozarkian River Bluffs ecoregion, but were rare in neighboring Ecoregion 72g. The native flora includes a distinctive assemblage of Ozarkian limestone glade species; Ozarkian flora is absent from the River Hills (72f) to the north (Schwegman, 1973, p. 25). Today, steeper slopes remain mostly wooded. Elsewhere, the land has been converted to pastureland and cropland; corn, wheat, soybeans, and hay are the main crops. Apple and peach orchards occur. The Karstic Northern Ozarkian River Bluffs ecoregion is a part of an important, forested habitat corridor along the Mississippi River. The coachwhip, a snake listed as endangered in Illinois, is restricted to The Karstic Northern Ozarkian River Bluffs ecoregion (Illinois Department of Natural Resources, on-line resource “b”; Illinois Natural History Survey, on-line resource). The flat-headed snake is listed as threatened in Illinois, and occurs in both the Karstic Northern Ozarkian River Bluffs (72l) and the Southern Ozarkian River Bluffs (72g); it is found nowhere else in the state (Schwegman, 1973, p. 25; Illinois Natural History Survey, on-line resource).

— EPA

Taxonomy

Classified As

Ecoregion