The Prairie Wedge University of Minnesota Duluth草原楔明尼苏达大学德卢斯.pptVIP

The Prairie Wedge By: James Martinsen Introduction The Prairie Peninsula is a wedge of prairie that extends from western Iowa to western Indiana. Which covers much of the middle of Illinois. The land in this area is flat to gently rolling, a result of glacial activity. What makes this vegetation region unique to me, is that this grassland is surrounded by mid-latitude deciduous forest. ? Quick Question The Prairie Peninsula has been studied for many years. One of the questions puzzling researchers is why this region of the United States supported grasslands, even though annual precipitation is high enough to support forest. Why do you think this grassland region occurs in the middle of mid-latitude deciduous forest? Answer Native Americans The Tribes which inhabited the land were: Puants[Winnebago] Outagamis [Fox] Kicapoux [Kickapoo] By burning the prairie, Native Americans could drive bison and elk during a hunt. The fires also kept the land an open grassland with few trees. Wildlife Many mammals have strived on the Prairie due to its abundant supply of food and cover. Like the Elk and Prairie Vole Many mammals were able to adapt and still live on the prairie. Like the badger, Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel, and the Coyote Farming Increasing numbers of people settled in Illinois and plowed much of the land. By the 1880s, Illinois inventors were coming up with designs for disc plows, disc harrows, and barbed wire that made it easier for farmers to plow fields and fence their pastures. By the middle of the nineteenth century, The diverse habitat that once supported thousands of plant and animal species almost disappeared. It was replaced by soybeans, corn, and grazing cattle. A domesticated farmland replaced the wild prairie. Discussion Questions Today, most of Illinois is covered by farms and pastures that produces food resources for the world. Do you think the settlers went overboard on farming, and exceeded th