It is a transitional zone between the plain of the Red River Valley ecoregion and the Northern Lakes and Forests ecoregion. The terrain varies from rolling hills to smaller plains. Upland areas are forested by hardwoods and conifers. Plains include livestock pastures, hay fields and row crops such as potatoes, beans, peas and corn.
Lakes are predominant in the ecoregion.
Many of the larger lakes have been developed for recreational purposes. Natural vegetation surrounding lakes includes cattails, wild rice, sedges, grasses and trees such as box elder, willows and elm. Streams are generally smaller, headwaters type and sometimes flow through lakes. Stream substrates include gravel, sand and rock and stream character varies from runs to riffles to pools. For more information about Minnesota, visit the Northstar Web site.