Bixby State Preserve

Bixby State Preserve is located in southwestern Clayton County, Iowa, about three miles north of Edgewood, Iowa. It is operated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

It is one of the few places in the world to contain algific talus slopes and consequently has an ecosystem encountered in only a few other sites, mainly elsewhere in Iowa, but also in southeastern Minnesota, southwestern Wisconsin and northwestern Illinois, all in the Driftless Area.

In winter and early spring comparatively warm air rises from the elaborate system of sinkholes, causing cold moist air to be drawn into the north-facing talus slopes and sent through fissures into ice caves, where it turns to ice on the walls of the cave. In summer and fall, the system is reversed, with cool moist air venting to the talus slopes, creating a unique ecosystem.

It can be visited as a day trip.

ources

* [http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/biology/facilities/algae/html/Bixby.html Bowling Green State University]
* [http://www.claytoncountyconservation.org/Recreational_Opportunities.htm Clayton County]
* [http://www.delawarecountyia.com/backbone001.html Delaware County]