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Nebraska Sand Hills Mixed Grasslands (WWF ecoregion NA0809)

Sand Hills east of Valentine, Nebraska
Sand Hills east of Valentine, Nebraska (c) 2008 Steven J. Baskauf


Source of bioregions data: Olson, D. M. and E. Dinerstein. The Global 200: Priority ecoregions for global conservation. (PDF file) Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 89:125-126.

Distinctiveness (1=highest,4=lowest): 4 (nationally important)
Although this ecoregion shares many of the species of surrounding ecoregions, it is unique due to the soil and surface characteristics caused by the irregular dunes and sandy soils.*

Conservation Status (1=most endangered, 5=most intact): 4 (relatively stable)
Because of the sandy soil, very little of this ecoregion has been plowed and it is about 85% intact.  Threats are degradation by overgrazing and toward the eastern end, development.*

Characteristic species*
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
 Agropogon hallii (sand bluestem)
Stipa comata (needle-and-thread)

 

Some views from the ecoregion

sandhills prairie
Sandhills east of Valentine, NE Sandhills east of Valentine, NE
east of Valentine, Nebraska (c) 2008 Steven J. Baskauf  hires hires

Sandy substrate in Valentine, NE
sand substrate in downtown Valentine, Nebraska (c) 2008 Steven J. Baskauf  hires

wooded river valley
River valley west of Valentine, NE River valley west of Valentine, NE
west of Valentine, Nebraska (c) 2008 Steven J. Baskauf  hires hires 

* Ricketts, T.H., E. Dinerstein, D.M. Olson, C.J. Loucks, et al.  (1999) Terrestrial Ecoregions of North America: A Conservation Assessment.  World Wildlife Fund - United States and Canada.  Island Press, Washington, D.C. pp. 190-191.

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