Zusammenfassung: | The middle reach of the Niobrara River Valley in north-central Nebraska is situated within a grassland biome but is known for a co-occurrence of numerous plant and animal species of western, eastern and boreal forest biomes. Ten herbaceous and 13 woody sites were sampled for plant species composition and the data analyzed with TWINSPAN. A biogeographical literature review was undertaken to provide further information on vegetation in this region. Together, the analytical data and biogeographical literature review were used to construct a community classification. Seven major community types are recognized: Sandhill, Mixed Prairie, Tallgrass Meadow, Upland Pine, Juniper, Hardwood, and Streambank Communities. The origin and persistence of these communities are attributed to historical factors such as glacial and dispersal events which brought species to the area and to certain geomorphological, hydrological and other environmental factors which maintain appropriate microhabitats.
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