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

Loess Prairies

Ecoregion in SD, IA, MN

Print Map

Generate High-Quality PDF

This ecoregion covers the southwest corner of Minnesota and extends south into Iowa and west into South Dakota. In several respects this ecoregion is a continuation of 46m, the Big Sioux Basin, however it differs in having several sections of scoured bedrock uplands close to the surface, about half of the region covered with mesic Ustolls from pre-Wisconsin glaciation till rather than frigid Udolls, and in being slightly warmer and with slightly more precipitation. This is the highest and driest ecoregion in the Western Corn Belt Plains. The topography is a gently undulating plain with a moderate to thick layer of loess. Till plain covers much of the ecoregion with significant channels of outwash along the Rock River and other streams. The eastern half of the ecoregion has mostly moist prairie Udolls from the Des Moines Lobe and the western half has dryer prairie Ustolls from pre-Wisconsin glaciation. The area is mostly treeless, except for the more moist areas along some stream corridors and on farmstead windbreaks. The dominant land use is corn and soybean agriculture with some pasture. Along the eastern border is a continuation of the Buffalo Ridge from Ecoregion 46m, with windmills along the ridge north of Interstate 90. About 75% of this ecoregion was corn and soybeans and 15% pasture or grassland in 2013.

— EPA

Taxonomy

Classified As

Ecoregion