Blackland Prairies of Southwestern Arkansas

The Blackland Prairie community type has been described in Texas; related communities exist in Alabama and Mississippi. The Arkansas variant of the community has not been described in detail. Since the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission began a systematic inventory of the community in 1985, more than 36 remnants have been identified that retain substantial natural character. However, all show some degree of disturbance. Based on aerial photo interpretation, aerial inspection, and ground study, an initial description of the community is presented, including original distribution, soil, vegetation and relationship to similar communities of Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama.