Date of Award

7-1-1988

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Dr. Thomas Bragg

Abstract

Introduction: The Niobrara River Valley of north central Nebraska is recognized as an area in which elements of the Rocky Mountain (coniferous), Boreal, and Eastern Deciduous forests meet. These elements occur primarily along river bluffs in an area surrounded by grasslands (Bessey 1887, Pound and Clements 1900, Tolstead 1947, Nixon 1967, Kaul 1975). In this region many species of plants and animals reach their distributional limits (Tolstead 1942). Diverse topography, north/south slope microclimates, soil, hydrology and geologic history have contributed to creating this biological crossroads amidst a chiefly grassland climate.

Comments

A Thesis Presented to the Department of Biology and the Faculty of the Graduate College University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts University of Nebraska at Omaha. Copyright 1988 Carol Sue Crosby.

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