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

Missouri Plateau

Ecoregion on Great Plains in MT, SD, ND

Print Map

Generate High-Quality PDF

The treeless, rolling hills and benches of the Missouri Plateau ecoregion were mostly unmodified by continental glaciation. Ecoregion 43a is underlain by the Tertiary Fort Union Formation and Flaxville Gravels. Its soils were derived from residuum and are not so naturally fertile as the till-based soils of the Northwestern Glaciated Plains (42). The potential natural vegetation of the Missouri Plateau (43a) is wheatgrass-needlegrass and contrasts with the grama-needlegrass-wheatgrass that occurs farther west on the more aridic soils of the Montana Central Grasslands (43n). Land use is a mosaic of both rangeland and farmland while, in contrast, the neighboring Montana Central Grasslands (43n) and River Breaks (43c) are dominated by rangeland. Parts of Ecoregion 43a are subject to wind erosion when overgrazed. The Missouri Plateau (43a) extends eastward into the Dakotas.

— EPA

Taxonomy

Classified As

Ecoregion