Transcript Ecoregions of Texas PPT

Ecoregions of Texas
What Is An Ecoregion?
• Ecoregion - a major ecosystem with
distinctive geography, characteristic plants and
animals, and receiving uniform solar radiation
and moisture
– Sometimes called a bioregion
Where Are They?
• Region 1: Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
• Region 2: Piney Woods
• Region 3: Blackland Prairies
• Region 4: Oak Woods and Prairies
• Region 5: Rolling Plains
• Region 6: High Plains
Where Are They?
• Region 7: Edwards Plateau
• Region 8: South Texas Brush Country
• Region 9: Trans Pecos
Region 1
Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
• Climate: average rainfall of 40 inches a year and warm
temperatures
• Geography: marshes (muddy) near bays and estuaries,
and prairies
• Vegetation: tall grass prairies, live oak woodlands, and
mesquite
Region 2
Piney Woods
• Climate: average annual rainfall of 50 inches and
temperatures are typically high
• Geography: rolling terrain
• Vegetation: pine and oak tall hardwood forests with
scattered areas of cropland and rich bottomlands
Region 3
Blackland Prairies
• Climate: average annual rainfall of 40 inches
• Geography: gently rolling to nearly level terrain
• Vegetation: food and forage crops
Region 4
Oak Woods & Prairies
• Climate: Average annual rainfall of 40 inches per year
• Geography: gently rolling to hilly terrain
• Vegetation: oak savannah, where patches of oak
woodland alternate with grassland
Region 5
Rolling Plains
• Climate: average annual rainfall of 28 inches; dry
summers with high temperatures
• Geography: gently rolling hills and flats are cut by several
rivers
• Vegetation: mesquite and short grass savannah
Region 6
High Plains
• Climate: extended droughts have occurred several
times this century
• Geography: relatively level high plateau
• Vegetation: mostly irrigated cropland
Region 7
Edwards Plateau
• Climate: average annual rainfall is 34 inches
• Geography: many springs, stony hills, and steep
canyons and caves
• Vegetation: grasslands, plateau with live oak, or
mesquite savannah
Region 8
South Texas Brush Country
• Climate: average annual rainfall of 35 inches increases.
Summer temperatures are high
• Geography: flat plains to gently rolling terrain
• Vegetation: thorny shrubs, trees, and cactus scattered
with patches of palms
Region 9
Trans Pecos
Climate: 15 inches of rain; warm, dry winters
Geography: salt basins, sand hills, rugged plateaus,
Vegetation: desert grassland, desert scrub
My Ecoregion
• Which region do you live in?
• Have you ever visited another region?