Wetland, Savanna, Forest and Prairie of Dallas County

Because Dallas County is the meeting place of three, regionally defined, plant communities, it is an area potentially rich in diversity. It is difficult to categorize specific plant communities on a small scale, as representative of each regional type. Alterations from intensive land use and natural distribution patterns influence land cover throughout the County.

Wetlands Prairie/Marsh Wetland System

Des Moines Lobe Landform System

Rarity

Prairie Pothole Joint Venture

Wetland Reserve Program

Riverine Wetland System

Intact

Raccoon River System

Beaver Creek System

Des Moines River System

Mississippi River System

Artificial Wetlands

Ponds

Lakes

Reservoirs

Savanna
Bur Oak Savanna
Association with south and west facing slopes along river corridors.
Existing but in need of release/disturbance through fire.
Need for research and definition of types.

Forest
Association with river corridors and drainages.
Increase in abundance within Dallas County at expense of prairie/savanna. Altered plant community due to intense harvest and grazing.
Oak/Hickory Association
Silver Maple/Cottonwood Association
Linden/Black Maple Association

Prairie
Loss due to agriculture and development.
Wet prairie association with Des Moines Lobe Landform Region and drainages.
Mesic prairie
Xeric prairie association with ridge-tops and nitrogen deficient soils. Restoration of native tracts.
Reconstruction using seeding techniques.