Texas Ecoregions
Effects of Weathering, Erosion
and Deposition
I. Factors Affecting Our Ecoregions
a. Weathering – chemical and physical break
down of rocks into sediment
b. Erosion – the movement of sediment from one
place to another
c. Deposition – the placement of sediment after
being carried from place of origin
d. CHEMICAL WEATHERING
• THE PROCESS THAT BREAKS DOWN
ROCKS BY CHEMICAL CHANGES OR
REACTIONS.
II. Texas Ecoregions
Piney Woods
i.
This ecoregion is found in East
Texas.
ii. It is the wettest region of the state.
This allows for a high rate of
decomposition to occur resulting
in healthy, nutrient-rich soils.
iii. The topography is gently rolling
to near flat through out the
region.
iv. Pine trees, woody vines, and
hardwood trees dominate the
vegetation.
v. If a wildfire was to occur the
positive effect would be that the
pine trees can maintain
dominance.
vi. Negative effects would be loss of
habitat and vegetation,
vii. Unless an area has been clearcut of vegetation for construction,
the amount of trees and plants
can prevent erosion.
Piney Woods
Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
i.
Soil in the region is
primarily sand-based.
ii. If there isn’t enough
vegetation to keep the
soil in place, rainfall
received can cause
severe erosion.
iii. Catastrophic events
such as hurricanes
can increase wave
erosion and
deposition.
Blackland Prairie
Blackland Prairie
i. These areas have nutrientrich soils and receive good
amounts of rainfall through
the year.
ii. If the land is clear-cut of
natural vegetation for
construction, nutrients can
easily be eroded.
iii. If the land is used for
farming and it is not
managed well, nutrients
will be quickly used up.
Edwards Plateau
Edwards Plateau
i.
This region is located
between dry western
plains and moist prairies
and woods.
ii. Unfortunately, erosion
has left most of the
region with very shallow
soils (less than 10
inches) lined with
limestone rock layers.
iii. High amounts of rain in
a short amount of time
can cause flash
flooding.
Rolling Plains
Rolling Plains
i.
This region is part of the
Great Plains of the North
Central Texas.
ii. Soils in this area are most
fertile and sought after for
crop production.
iii. Periods of drought and
then sudden increase in
rainfall causes large
amounts of erosion and
deplete the soil of
nutrients.
Oak Woods and Prairies
Oak Woods and Prairies
i. This is a small, thin
region running North to
South on either side of
the prairies and plains.
ii. The soil is not as prone
to flooding because it
allows water to infiltrate
very easily.
iii. The region is described
as rough, hilly terrain.
High Plains
High Plains
i.
“Texas Panhandle”
ii. The region extends to
the Palo Duro Canyonthe nation’s 2nd largest
canyon.
iii. Palo Duro Canyon was
formed by water erosion
from the Prairie Dog
Town Fork of the Red
River.
iv. The water deepens the
canyon by moving
sediment downstream.
v. Wind and water erosion
gradually widen the
canyon.
South Texas Brush Country
South Texas
Brush Country
i. The area is known as
“Brush Country” due to
the shorter trees and
many shrubs.
ii. Overgrazing of the land
has allowed nutrientrich topsoil to erode
way.
iii. Rocky, dry soil cannot
support grasses, trees
can thrive because of
their deeper root
system.
Trans-Pecos
Trans-Pecos
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
This area is found in West
Texas.
Rain does not fall evenly
over the area.
It is the “Desert portion” of
Texas.
The weathered bedrock in
this area has high amounts
of calcium.
Soils are shallow and rocky.
Weathering continues to play
a role in developing soil and
will for thousands of years to
come.
Soils in the canyon bottoms
and valleys are deeper as a
result of deposition.
Coastal Sand Plain
Coastal Sand Plain
i.
This region is found
along the coastal
shoreline.
ii. It is composed of
grasslands and coastal
oak
iii. It is the unstable,
windblown sand that
produces the
characteristic dunes of
this ecoregion
Marine Environment
Marine Environment
i. This region runs along
the Gulf Coast of Texas
ii. It consists of salt water.
iii. It is an ocean
environment.
iv. High tides and low tides
continuously change the
face of the Texas Coast
line through erosion and
deposition.