Map of midwestern plant biomes.
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The American Bottom lies within the Oak-Hickory forest biome. Although
comprised of numerous ecosystems, this biome is dominated by well-drained
uplands and thus contains an abundance of plants prefering well-drained soils.
Like other river bottom ecosystems, however, the vegetation of the American
Bottom differs markedly from both the surrounding upland oak-hickory forests
and the prairies to the east and north.
Deposition of fluvial, glacio-fluvial, and lacustrine sediments during the
Pleistocene and Holocene created a canvas with decidedly minimal topographic
relief, but the variety of soils and drainage characteristics of the deposits
created a rich diversity of habitats. Thus, plant species with a wide range of
tolerance limits for soil moisture and drainage characteristics can be found
here.
Aquatic vegetation in an American Bottom wetland.
Floodplain prairie at stream's edge with Oak-hickory forest on elevated ridge in background.
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