Prairie Parkland ( Subtropical) Province

West Gulf Coastal Plain, central lowlands, 80,100 mi2 (207,500 km2)

Land-surface form.--This province is a region of gently rolling to flat plains, many of them part of the Gulf Coastal Plain. Over 50 percent of the area is gently sloping. Elevations range from sea level to 1,300 ft (400 m), with a local relief of less than 300 ft (90 m). Most of the Coastal Plain streams and rivers are sluggish; there are numerous wetland areas along the coast.

Climate.--The climate is similar to that of the temperate prairies described above, except that winters are warmer and there is more precipitation, mostly in the form of rain instead of snow. Winters are warm (50 to 60F [10 to 16C]) and summers are hot (70 to 80F [21 to 27C]). Average annual precipitation ranges from 35 in (890 mm) in the north to 55 in (1,410 mm) in the south along the coast. Rain falls throughout the year, brought by on-shore winds in summer and by depressions in winter. Hurricanes are frequent in autumn. On the coast, the climate is almost without frost.

Vegetation.--This region consists of prairies and savannas. Like the temperate prairies to the north, it is part of the grassland-forest transition area of the central United States. Due to aridity and probably also to fires and grazing, this area is dominated by various short and medium-to-tall grasses, along with a few hardy tree species. Trees are typically evergreen and are widely spaced and short of stature, rarely more than 25 ft (8 m) tall. Post oak and blackjack oak dominate the cross timbers region of Oklahoma and Texas. Hickories are common only in stands near the forest region. Soil is a key factor in local distribution. Fine, heavy soils generally support grassland vegetation, and coarse, lighter soils are covered with stands of savanna.

Bluestem is the principal grass throughout the region. The Gulf Coast of Texas has an extensive border of marshes stretching inland 5 to 10 mi (8 to 16 km), sometimes farther.

Soils.--Mollisols, Alfisols, and Vertisols are the dominant soils. Dry Alfisols are found on the savannas, with Mollisols and Vertisols on the prairies.

Fauna.--Whitetail deer are abundant, as is the nine-banded armadillo. The red wolf is classified as an endangered species.

The scissor-tailed flycatcher, eastern meadowlark, lark sparrow, and eastern and western kingbirds are indicator species of the region.

From: Bailey R.G. 1995. Description of the ecoregions of the United States. US Department of Agriculture Forest Service Publication 1391. Washington DC, USA. http://www.fs.fed.us/land/ecosysmgmt/ecoreg1_home.html