Midwestern United States

The Midwestern United States is a region characterized by blending urban industrial muscle with fertile soil, rural conservatism, and valuable natural resources (such as coal, oil, iron ore, and limestone). It includes the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas.

Geography

The Midwest is a region of diverse geography. It lies between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains, stretching north from the Ohio River to the 37th parallel. It’s a land of contrasts, from the fertile Great Lakes and upper Mississippi River valley to the expansive Great Plains.

It is characterized primarily by flat, open expanses of farmland broken up by fences, roads, and lingering primeval forests.

We drove I-70 the long way across Kansas, once. Never has a six hour drive felt more like six weeks. It's just flat fields of grain for as far as the eye can see. And every once in a while...a house, or a cow, or a silo.

— Jolene Williams

Ecosystem

The Midwest is a mosaic of ecosystems, each a harmonious symphony of biodiversity. From the expansive prairies, home to a ballet of grasses swaying in the wind, to the dense forests that stand as silent sentinels of time, this region supports a diverse array of native species. The Great Lakes, a crown jewel of freshwater resources, teem with life, while the wetlands act as nature’s kidneys, purifying water and providing refuge for migratory birds. Amidst this natural splendor, essential services such as water purification, flood control, and crop pollination are performed effortlessly by the region’s flora and fauna.

Ecosystem Cycles

The Midwest’s ecosystem cycles are a testament to the resilience and adaptability of nature. The seasonal dance of life begins with the spring thaw, where melting snows nourish the soil, awakening the slumbering seeds. Summer’s warmth accelerates growth, turning the landscape into a lush canvas of green. Autumn heralds a time of harvest, as energy is stored for the winter’s rest. The cycle completes as winter’s chill blankets the land, and life retreats into the earth, only to be reborn with the next cycle of seasons. These rhythms are crucial for maintaining the balance of ecosystems, even as they face the pressures of climate change and human activity.

Field's edge in fall. by Steven Van Elk

Climate

by Dave Hoefler

Tornadoes and Thunderstorms: America's Heartland is no stranger to the sky’s wrath. Spring and summer bring the peak of tornado season, where the landscape can transform into an artist’s canvas streaked with the violent brushstrokes of supercell thunderstorms, like the Storm of '74. These colossal towers of power churn the sky, birthing tornadoes that dance across the plains with a ferocity unmatched. The National Weather Service often issues watches and warnings as these storms can spawn multiple tornadoes, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake

Blizzards and Ice Storms: As autumn leaves give way to winter’s chill, the Midwest braces for the icy grip of blizzards. These whiteout conditions can bury towns under feet of snow, paralyzing cities and turning highways into labyrinths of snowdrifts. The howling winds sculpt the snow into eerie formations, reminiscent of sand dunes in a frozen desert. Ice storms encase everything in a crystal shell, creating a deceptive beauty that weighs heavily on branches and power lines, often leading to widespread power outages.

Floods and Heatwaves: Come spring, the thawing snow and torrential rains often lead to the rivers swelling beyond their banks. The Midwest has witnessed historic flooding, turning serene rivers into monstrous torrents that engulf farmlands and homes. Meanwhile, the summer sun scorches the earth, leading to heatwaves where the air itself feels like a furnace. Temperatures can soar, pushing the mercury to climb to triple digits, and the humidity wraps around you like a suffocating blanket.

Fauna & Flora

The Midwest’s natural quilt is stitched with a diverse array of flora and fauna. Towering oaks and maples interlace with prairies dotted with wildflowers like the purple coneflower and wild bergamot. This botanical diversity provides a lush habitat for a myriad of creatures, from the majestic bison roaming the grasslands to the elusive red foxes and industrious beavers shaping the ecosystem.

Bison In the Snow by Greg Johnson

Flora Facts:

• The purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is not only a visual delight with its vibrant pink-purple petals but also a magnet for butterflies.
• Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), with its fragrant leaves and lavender flowers, is a favorite of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
• The Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera leucophaea) is a rare gem among the Midwest’s flora, showcasing the region’s plant diversity and the need for conservation efforts.

Fauna Facts:

• The American bison (Bison bison), once on the brink of extinction, now thrives in protected areas, symbolizing the Midwest’s commitment to wildlife conservation.
• Birdwatchers are drawn to the Midwest for the chance to spot rare birds like the Kirtland’s warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii) and the piping plover (Charadrius melodus).
• The region’s waters are rich with life, hosting over 400 species of freshwater mussels, making it a hotspot for aquatic biodiversity.

Alternative Name(s)

America's Heartland

Type

Region

Inhabiting Species

• Puckwudgies

A rural country road and rain clouds in the distance by Dave Hoefler

In the Midwest, we have a saying; "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it's guaranteed to change." When you grow up in farmland, when the very nature of your economy is tied to the unrelenting cycle of chaos that is Mother Nature, you learn how to cope with change. Or else.

The Approach by Dave Hoefler

The Approach (part 2) by Dave Hoefler

Thunderstorms are a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, the rain makes the crops grow. It cleans the air and the ground, it breaks the awful heat and humidity in the middle of July or August. But with it can come the fire-inducing lightning strikes of Nature's temperate wrath, and the violent funnel clouds of tornadoes that leave behind a wake of scattered, flattened destruction.

by Greg Johnson

Lightning over the abandoned farmyard by Greg Johnson

by Greg Johnson

To everything turn, turn, turn
There is a season turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep...
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together...
A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing...
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late.

— Peter Seeger