| Northern Minnesota Wetlands | |
| Map: | Upper Midwest ecoregions.gif |
| Map Size: | 300 |
| Map Alt: | Map of ecoregions of the Upper Midwest |
| Biogeographic Realm: | Nearctic |
| Country: | United States |
| State: | Minnesota |
The Northern Minnesota Wetlands ecoregion is a Level III ecoregion designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in northern Minnesota[1] in the United States. Designated as ecoregion number 49, the ecoregion is sparsely populated and generally features conifer bog, mixed forest, and boreal forest vegetation. Much of the Northern Minnesota Wetlands is covered by standing water although some low-gradient streams and rivers occur in the eastern part; lakes in the region tend to have lower phosphorus and algae concentrations than some other parts of the state due to an abundance of forests and less agriculture.[2]
Following is a list of smaller Level IV ecoregions within the Northern Minnesota Wetlands ecoregion, as defined by the EPA.
| Number | Ecoregion name | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49a | Peatlands | One of the largest areas of contiguous wetland in the contiguous United States, common features of this region include bogs and fens, and the cold climate and wet soils limit agriculture. Almost a fifth of the area is part of the Red Lake Indian Reservation, which is held by the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe as the only closed reservation in Minnesota - meaning that all land is held in common by the tribe instead of being allotted into private property. | |
| 49b | Forested Lake Plains | This region contains mostly wetland and forest, with more forest in the northeastern part and interspersed through the southern part of the region. The topography is generally flat. |