Domnonia Ecosystem
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Contents
Prairie
| Prairies | ||
|---|---|---|
The Prairie Ecosystem in Domnonia | ||
| Region | Eastern Keeslands | |
| Biome type | Terrestrial | |
| Polities | Algar Powysia Lindinis Sendar Inlad | |
| Altitude | from 90m to 600m | |
| Relative climate | Semiarid | |
| Avg. Annual Temperature | from 4°C to 16°C | |
| Avg. Annual Precipitation | from 550mm to 1200cm | |
| Biodiversity Status | ||
| Flora | Threatened | |
| Fauna | Stable | |
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). Almost 95% of the Prairies have been converted into farmland, with predictable effects on the original plant populations.
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
The widespread alteration of the natural habitat has resulted in diminished populations and ranges of many animals. 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 Ijsmuis 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 Arciulle 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 Maritime
The Malabran Maritime ecozone covers the mainland Inlad, Lawrence and Yuril Bay coasts. The wettest climates in Domnonia occur on the coast, especially near the mountains on the slopes of the Hiel Isthmus, coasts of Inlad Bay, and the mainland Hiel Range. The city of Ungava, East Hiel is well known for its wet climate.
Climate
This climate ranges from relatively mild and humid at low elevations to cool and very humid at higher elevations in the mainland. The ecozone has some of the warmest and the wettest climatic conditions in Domnonia. Average annual can temperatures range from 4.5°C in the north to 9°C in the Jgnak region. The mean summer temperature ranges from 10°C in the northwest to 19.5°C in the south. Average winter temperatures range from -0.5°C to 3.5°C. Like the rest of Domnonia, there is little variation between the average monthly temperatures through the year. The annual precipitation ranges from as little as 600 mm in Lawrence Bay Inlet of ??? to over 4000 mm in the Hiel Isthmus region to the northwest. Overall, the zone typically receives 1500-3000 mm of precipitation per year. The Malabran maritime influence is responsible for the high level of precipitation and for the temperature moderation.
Vegetation
The temperate coastal rainforests are home to cedar, cedar, hemlock, Douglas-fir, and Thoris Pine. Many of these trees reach very large dimensions and grow to great ages, forming ancient or old growth forests. Thoris Pine is confined largely to the central portion of the ecozystem.
Fauna
Common mammals include deer, bear, elk, wolf, otter, and raccoon. The Yuril Fox is also a common sight in the region. Bird species found in this area include the Zuidengrote Eagle, and the Miervatian Burrowing Owl. Other representative birds are the Den Jay, and common crow. Marine environments are typified by ??? Sea Lion, seal, and , sperm, grey, killer, and blue whales. Salmon are located throughout this ecosystem. Freshwater from coastal rivers mixing with ocean waters stimulates the occurrence of abundant marine life.
Qu'Maen Plains
The Qu'Maen Plains ecosystem is centred in northern Powysia and northeastern Algar. The largest extensive area of wetlands in Domnonia, and the wider IDU are associated with this region. The plains are poorly drained, flat and dominated by extensive wetlands. As though sculpted by an artist, the greenery of the plains is marked by a series of raised white lines. These belts of raised beaches show the steady regression of the ice sheet that covered the area thousands of years ago.
Climate
The ecosystem is strongly influenced by the cold moisture of Qu'Or Bay, and the lows and highs of Keeslandic polar air. The short cool summers and very cold winters reflect a generally cold climate. Average annual temperatures generally range from -4°C to -2°C. Mean annual temperatures can be colder in Algar, ranging as low as -7°C in places. Average summer temperatures range from 10.5°C to 11.5°C. Average winter temperatures range between -19°C and -16°C. Precipitation annually ranges from 500mm in the northeast to 1000mm in the southeast.
Vegetation
Vegetation consists of arctic tundra and some boreal forest. The poorly drained areas support dense sedge-moss-lichen covers with the occasional group of Qu'Maen Oak, and the less frequent and better-drained sites along the Powys River support open woodlands of Qu'Maen Spruce. The raised beaches present a striking pattern of spruce-covered ridges alternating with bogs and fens. The character of the drier, less frequent upland areas suggests a similarities to the Prairie ecosystem.
Fauna
Characteristic mammals include Yns Caribou, Ijsmuis Otter, moose, Keeshound Bear, and fox. The region is an important habitat for breeding fowl, particularly the Domini Owl. The marine environment includes seals, as well as beluga whales in the summer.
