Domnonia Ecosystem

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Prairie

The Prairie Ecosystem covers an extensive area from central Algar, to southwestern Powysia and northwestern Lindinis and across Sendar, with alternating prairie and deciduous forest. The topography is mostly gently rolling plains, but steep bluffs border a number of valleys. Some areas are nearly flat; others have high rounded hills. Elevations range from 300 to 2,000 ft (90 to 600 m).

Climate

Summers are usually hot, and winters are cold, especially in the northern parts of the ecosystem. Average annual temperatures may reach 4C in the north and 16C in the south. Winters are short and relatively mild in southerly areas. The frost-free season ranges from 120 days along the northern fringe to 235 days in the south. Average annual precipitation ranges from 550 to 1,120 mm, falling mainly during the growing season.

Vegetation

Vegetation is characterized by intermingled prairie, groves, and strips of deciduous trees including the Thoris Pine. The alternation of forest and prairie in the northeastern part of the ecosystem is a result of soil conditions and slope; trees are commonly found near streams and on northfacing slopes. The thin soils atop this area's hills support very few trees. In the western part of the ecosystem, however, trees often cover the highest hills. The prairies seem to be areas that have not yet become forested because of frequent fires or time.

Grasses are the dominant vegetation. Most are tall and grow in bunches. The most common type of grassland is stem prairie, dominated by such plants as switchgrass, and Ca'Qu grass, along with many species of wildflowers like the Ahabasil Poppy and Solace Chamomile. In many places where grazing and fire are controlled, deciduous forest is encroaching on the prairies. Due to generally favorable conditions of climate and soil, most of the area is cultivated, and little of the original vegetation remains.

Fauna

In addition to prairie animals that do not need woody vegetation, many forest animals are found in these prairies. They inhabit the wooded valleys that extend across the region, including the Underfall Mink and the Powysia River Otter. On the prairies, ground squirrels and prairie dogs are commonly seen.

Birds of the prairie forests include the Den Jay, Seor Robin, and the Restine Phebe.

Intermountain Semidesert

The Intermountain Semidesert ecosystem covers the geographic areas of Domnonia known as the Domini Badlands and the Northern Plateau in Inlad. Much of this area is made up of separate interior basins; only a small part of precipitation drains to the sea. The lower parts of many basins have heavy accumulations of salts. Streams are rare and few are permanent. Many mountains rise steeply from the semiarid, sagebrush-covered plains. These mountains are generally well covered by vegetation.

Climate

Summers are hot, but winters are only moderately cold. The average annual temperature ranges from 4 to 13C. Spring comes early, except at higher elevations. Annual precipitation averages only 130mm, often falling as winter snow. Almost no rain falls during the summer months except in the mountains.

Vegetation

Sagebrush dominates low lying areas. Other plants in the sagebrush belt are Bitterbrush, and the short-statured Algar Oak. This vegetation tolerates salt to varying degrees, essential to their survival on the poorly drained soils widespread in the region. On soils with the highest concentrations of salt, even these plants are unable to grow; they are replaced by plant communities dominated by mold-like vegetation.

Fauna

Few large mammals live in this ecosystem, but Antrian Hare, mountain lion, bobcat, and coyote occasionally venture into it. Sagebrush provides ideal habitat for Arciule Antelope and prairie dog. The most common species are such small mammals as squirrels, mice, rats, foxes. In the Northern Plateau, some mammals exhibit symptoms of mania during the hot, dry summer.

Bird species range from a larger relative of the Miervatian Burrowing Owl to such specialized species as the Badland Sparrow, found only in this ecosystem.

Malabran Coastal Mixed Forest

The Malabran Coastal Mixed Forest covers a series of steep, rugged mountains bordered in places by a narrow coastal plain. Mountains along the coast can rise 1,500 m above sea level. The interior Hiel Range has mountains 2,400-2,700m in altitude. Mt. Arciulle, for example, rises more than 4,600m above sea level. Some parts of the ecosystem, especially its western portion and the Hiel Range, have at some point been affected by glaciers.