The most notable characteristic of the prairie grassland biome is the absence of trees. It is one of three major biomes (types of associations of plants and animals) found in Minnesota. It stretches across the western part of the state from southeast to northwest. Fertile prairie soils grow good agricultural crops, and most of the original 18 million acres of native prairie has been plowed. The patches of prairie remaining are mostly small remnants that were too steep or rocky to be plowed.

Physical features

The prairie grasslands formed on soils left behind by the most recent glaciers. The northern parts of the biome were primarily influenced by Glacial Lake Agassiz, which left behind a massive, flat lakebed of fertile silt. The south and southwestern parts of this biome feature a high plateau of quartz bedrock topped with glacial debris. Prairie grasslands are the driest biome in the state. The average annual temperatures range from 37 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Biological features

A sea of grass without a tree in sight is the image that comes to mind when most people think of prairie grasslands. In Minnesota these grasslands range from sparsely vegetated sand dunes to fields of big bluestem up to eight feet tall, from wet meadows to dry short grass prairies high on the bluffs of the Minnesota River. A wide variety of grasses and wildflowers can be found here. Some common examples of the variety of grasses and wildflowers found on Minnesota's prairies are blazing star, purple prairie clover, leadplant, big bluestem, little bluestem, and prairie dropseed. Animals typical of prairie grasslands include monarch butterflies, Great Plains toads, prairie skinks, greater prairie chickens, meadowlarks, upland sandpipers, meadow voles, white-tailed jackrabbits, pocket gophers, and badgers.

Location

A line that connects Lake Bronson State Park in the northwest to Myre-Big Island State Park in the southeast roughly marks the eastern edge of the prairie grassland biome. The four prairie subsections that make up Minnesota's prairie grasslands are found west of this line. The subsections are Red River Prairie, Minnesota River Prairie, Inner Coteau and Coteau Moraines.

Fun facts

Three major forces have combined to create and sustain the prairie grasslands. First, fire suppressed trees and shrubs while stimulating the growth of prairie wildflowers and grasses. Second, prairie plants adapted to grazing by bison and other large herbivores (plant eaters). Many prairie plants have underground growing points that quickly sprout after being eaten. Finally, prairie plants are adapted to drought. Many become dormant during a drought and begin growing again after the drought ends. Others have deep, thick roots that absorb nearly all available water. Some roots may be three times longer than the plants above them!