Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre

This ecoregion marks the northern extension of open grassland in the province, and is closely correlated with semi-arid moisture conditions and dark brown soils. Most landscapes are comprised of glacial till, and have short, steep slopes and numerous undrained depressions or sloughs, although several large, level glacial lake plains also occur. Native vegetation is confined largely to non-arable pasture lands, where speargrasses and wheatgrasses, along with deciduous shrubs such as snowberry, rose, chokecherry, and wolf willow are among the more common species.

Small aspen groves are typically found around sloughs and are a characteristic feature of the landscape, particularly as compared to the drier Mixed Grassland ecoregion which is largely treeless. The prairie potholes or sloughs, although less common than in the Aspen Parkland, provide a valuable habitat for waterfowl. Mule deer and white-tailed deer are conspicuous wildlife species. Other notable species include coyote, red fox, badger, Richardson's ground squirrel and jack rabbit.

The western meadowlark, eastern kingbird, yellow-headed blackbird, piping plover, sharp-tailed grouse and Franklin's gull are typical birds. Agriculture is by far the dominant land use, with cereals being the main crop. Feed grains, forage crops and oilseeds are also grown, but to a lesser extent than in the Aspen Parkland.

LANDSCAPE AREA

K1 Neutral Hills
K2 Tramping Lake Plain
K3 Seniac Hills
K4 Biggar Plain
K5 Bear Hills
K6 Rosetown Plain
K7 Goose Lake Plain
K8 Saskatoon Plain
K9 Moose Wood Sand Hills
K10 Minichinas Upland
K11 Elstow Plain
K12 Allan Hills
K13 Arm River Plain
K14 Last Mountain Lake Plain
K15 Strasbourg Plain
K16 Eyebrow Plain
K17 Regina Plain
K18 Griffin Plain
K19 Trossachs Plain
K20 Souris River Plain