What Biome Is Minnesota In?

Laurentian Mixed Forest Biome

• The Laurentian Mixed Forest biome, also known as the Coniferous Forest biome, spans the north-central to northeast region of the state and is largest of the state's biomes. This region has very cold winters and precipitation during the cool summer months. Peatlands and lakes that glacial melt form are scattered throughout the region. Deciduous, coniferous and hardwood species all inhabit this biome, with aspen, spruce and fir dominating. Hazelnut, dogwood and honeysuckle are common shrubs -- their density varying with forest canopy cover. Ground plants include mosses and herbs such as wintergreen and rose twisted-stalk.

Deciduous Forest Biome

• The Deciduous Forest biome, also known as the Eastern Broadleaf Forest, spans the southeast region of the state, bordering the Coniferous Forest biome on the west side as it moves northward, infiltrating the Tallgrass Aspen Parkland in the north. The plants in this biome are adapted to moisture extremes, warm summers and cold winters. These species -- which include maple, elm, birch, oak, cottonwood and aspen -- are diverse, growing in communities throughout the biome. Shrub species provide food as well as animal habitats. Many species of wildflowers and edible ground plants such as plantain, ginger and wild grape grow in these forests.

Prarie Grasslands

• The Prairie Grasslands biome stretches the entire western border of the state, spanning most of the southern state border and narrowing as it proceeds north. The terrains of this biome include sandy and rolling plains, bluff and gravelly hills. The plentiful varieties of grasses, wildflowers and shrubs are able to grow in sandy glacial deposit soils and withstand drought.Trees are sparse other than in rare scattered aspen and scrub oak savanna areas. In northern regions, wet grasslands provide habitat for shrub thickets and willows. Rushes and sedges grow in calcareous seepage fens where soil is saturated with cold water. Human settlement has destroyed much of the plant and animal diversity of the Prairie Grasslands.

Tallgrass Aspen Parklands

• The Tallgrass Aspen Parklands lie between the western grasslands and the eastern forest lands of northern Minnesota. These grasslands were bountiful at one time, but the rich, fertile soil made them prime for settlement. The biome survived because much of the land is inhospitable for agriculture. An ancient glacial beach ridge of sandy soil still supports patches of oak and aspen savannas. Fens dominated by sedge and interspersed willow and bog birch are also interspersed among the remnants of the grass prairie. Without preservation efforts, Minnesota may lose its fourth biome.