T~~ 'II:\\UJ!,() '" Volume 3 ------~-- ~W Living Resources
UPPER DES PLAINES RIVER .AREA ASSESSMENT
';Jj
DEpllRTMENT O~ NATURAL RESOURCES UPPER DES PLAINES RIvER AREA ASSESSMENT
VOLUME 3: LIVING RESOURCES
llJinois Department ofNatural Resources • i Office ofScientific Research and Analysis Natural History Survey Division 607 East Peabody Drive Champaign, Illinois 61820 (217) 333-4949
1998
300 Printed by the authority ofthe State oflllinois
II Other CTAP Publications
The Changing Jl/inois Environment: Critical Trends • Summary Report • Volume 1: Air Resources • Volume 2: Water Resources • Volume 3: Ecological Resources • Volume 4: Earth Resources • Volume 5: Waste Generation and Management • Volume 6: Sources ofEnvironmental Stress • Volume 7: Bibliography lllinois Land Cover, An Atlas, plus CD-ROM Inventory ofEcologically Resource-Rich Areas in Illinois. Rock River Area Assessment, technical report The Rock River Country: An Inventory ofthe Region's Resources Cache River Area Assessment, technical report The Cache River Basin: An Inventory ofthe Region's Resources Mackinaw RiverArea Assessment, technical report The Mackinaw River Country: An Inventory ofthe Region·'s Resources The lllinois Headwaters: An Inventory ofthe Region's Resources Headwaters Area Assessment, technical report The lllinois Big Rivers: An Inventory ofthe Region's Resources Big Rivers Area Assessment, technical report The Fox River Basin: An Inventory ofthe Region's Resources Fox River Area Assessment, technical report The Kankakee River Valley: An Inventory ofthe Region's Resources Kankakee River Area Assessment, technical report Annual Report 1996, Illinois RiverWatch Stream Monitoring Manual, Illinois RiverWatch PLAN-IT EARTH, Flowing Waters Module PLAN-IT EARTH, Forest Module ForestMonitoring Manual, Illinois ForestWatch Illinois Geographic Information System, CD-ROM ofdigital geospatial data
All CTAP and Ecosystems Program documents are available from the DNR Clearinghouse at (217) 782-7498 or TDD (217) 782-9175. Selected publications are also available on the World Wide Web at http://dnr.state.il.us/ctap/ctaphome.htm, or http://dnr.state.il.us/c2000/managelpartner.htm, as well as on the EcoForum Bulletin Board at I (800) 528-5486 or (217) 782-8447.
For more information about CTAP, call (217) 524-0500 or e-mail [email protected]; for information on the Ecosystems Program call (217) 782-7940 or e-mail at [email protected]. About This Report
The Upper Des Plaines River Area Assessment examines an area situated along the upper Des Plaines River in northeastern Illinois. Because significant natural community and species diversity is found in the area, it has been designated a state Resource Rich Area. l
This report is part ofa series of reports on areas ofTIlinois where a public-private partnership has been formed. These assessments provide information on the natural and human resources ofthe areas as a basis for managing and improving their ecosystems. The determination of resource rich areas and development ofecosystem-based information and management programs in Illinois are the result ofthree processes -- the Critical Trends Assessment Program, the Conservation Congress, and the Water Resources and Land Use Priorities Task Force.
Background
The Critical Trends Assessment Program (CTAP) documents changes in ecological conditions. In 1994, using existing information, the program provided a baseline of ecological conditions2 Three conclusions were drawn from the baseline investigation:
1. the emission and discharge ofregulated pollutants over the past 20 years has declined, in some cases dramatically, 2. existing data suggest that the condition ofnatural ecosystems in Illinois is rapidly declining as a result offragmentation and continued stress, and 3. data designed to monitor compliance with environmental regulations or the status of individual species are not sufficient to assess ecosystem health statewide.
Based on these findings, CTAP has begun to develop methods to systematically monitor ecological conditions and provide information for ecosystem-based management. Five components make up this effort:
1. identify resource rich areas, 2. conduct regional assessments, 3. publish an atlas and inventory ofIllinois landcover, 4. train volunteers to collect ecological indicator data, and 5. develop an educational science curriculum which incorporates data collection
I See Inventory ofResource Rich Areas in Illinois: An Evaluation ofEcological Resources. 2 See The Changing Illinois Environment: Critical Trends, SU1ll1Illl1Y report and volumes 1-7.
iii At the same time that CTAP was publishing its baseline findings, the TIlinois Conservation Congress and the Water Resources and Land Use Priorities Task Force were presenting their respective findings. These groups agreed with the CTAP conclusion that the state's ecosystems were declining. Better stewardship was needed, and they detennined that a voluntary, incentive-based, grassroots approach would be the most appropriate, one that recognized the inter-relatedness ofeconomic development and natural resource protection and enhancement.
From the three initiatives was born Conservation 2000, a six-year program to begin reversing ecosystem degradation, primarily through the Ecosystems Program, a cooperative process of public-private partnerships that are intended to merge natural resource stewardship with economic and recreational development. To achieve this goal, the program win provide financial incentives and technical assistance to private landowners. The Rock River and Cache River were designated as the first Ecosystem Partnership areas.
At the same time, CTAP identified 30 Resource Rich Areas (RRAs) throughout the state. In RRAs where Ecosystem Partnerships have been formed, CTAP is providing an assessment of the area, drawing from ecological and socia-economic databases to give an overview ofthe region's resources -- geologic, edaphic, hydrologic, biotic, and socio-economic. Although several ofthe analyses are somewhat restricted by spatial and/or temporal limitations ofthe data, they help to identify information gaps and additional opportunities and constraints to establishing long-term monitoring programs in the partnership areas.
The Upper Des Plaines River Area Assessment
The Upper Des Plaines Area Assessment covers an area ofapproximately 346 mile2 (221,637 acres) spanning central Lake County, north-central Cook County, and the north eastern portion ofDu Page County. The Des Plaines River originates near Racine, Wisconsin and enters Illinois two miles northeast ofRosecranes in Lake County. It flows 97 miles south before its confluence with the Kankakee River to form the Illinois River. The assessment boundary encompasses the eight northernmost subbasins ofthe Des Plaines watershed in TIlinois.
This assessment is comprised offive volumes. In Volume 1, Geology discusses the geology, soils, and minerals in the assessment area. Volume 2, Water Resources, discusses the surface and groundwater resources and Volume 3, Living Resources, describes the natural vegetation communities and the fauna ofthe region. Volume 4 contains three parts: Part I, Socio-Economic Profile, discusses the demographics, infrastructure, and economy ofthe area, focusing on the three counties with the greatest amount ofland in the area -- Lake and Cook counties in TIlinois and KelJosha County in
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Major Drainage Basins of Illinois and Location of the Upper Des Plaines River Assessment Area 711 , I 1
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Subbasins in the Des Plaines River assessment area. Subbasin boundaries depicted are those determined by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Wisconsin; Part II, Environmental Quality, discusses air and water quality, and hazardous and toxic waste generation and management in the area; and Part III, Archaeological Resources, identifies and assesses the archaeological sites, ranging from the Paleoindian Prehistoric (B.C. 10,000) to the Historic (A.D. 1650), known in the assessment watershed. Volume 5, EarlyAccounts ofthe Ecology ofthe Upper Des Plaines Area, describes the ecology ofthe area as recorded by historical writings ofexplorers, pioneers, early visitors and early historians.
VII
Contributors
Principle Investigator William G. Ruesink
Project Coordinator Daniel K. Niven
Editors Timothy J. S. Whitfeld, Daniel K. Niven
Page Layout. Timothy J. S. Whitfeld
Figures .' Katherine J. Hunter, Liane B. Suloway
Introduction..John B. Taft, Liane B. Suloway, Katherine J. Hunter, Timothy J. S. Whitfeld
Natural Vegetation Communities John B. Taft
Tables for Natural Vegetation Communities Connie J. Carroll, Timothy J. S. Whitfeld
Birds Scott K. Robinson, Steven D. Bailey
Marnmals Edward J. Heske, Joyce E. Hofmann
Amphibians and Reptiles Christopher A. Phillips
Terrestrial Insects: Butterflies and Skippers John K. Bouseman
Aquatic Biota:
Fishes Larry M. Page, Kevin S. CUnunings, Christine A. Mayer
Mussels and Crustaceans Larry M. Page, Kevin S. Cununings, Christine A. Mayer
Other Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Mark J. Wetzel, Donald W. Webb
IX
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Table ofContents
Introduction Physiographic Characteristics 1 Climate Patterns 5 Vegetation History 5 Current Land Cover 6 Biologically SignificantFeatures ofNatural Communities 1S Natural Vegetation Communities Comparison ofBiodiversity in the UDPAA to Statewide Pattems 25 Illinois Threatened and Endangered Species 26 Disturbance, Habitat Quality, and Restoration Potential... 29 Natural Areas and Nature Preserves .30 Terrestrial Natural Communtiy Descriptions 32 Forest. 34 Prairie .41 Savanna .45 Wetland 48 Lake and Pond 55 Cultural Habitats 56 Summary and Recommendations 58 Birds Introduction 63 Forest. 76 Wetland 78 Savanna 79 Prairie/Grassland 80 Lakes, Ponds, Impoundments, Creeks, and Rivers 82 Cultural Habitats: Croplands 83 Cultural Habitats: Successional Fields 84 Cultural Habitats: Developed Land 85 Management recommendations 87 Mammals Introduction 89 Forest. 89 Wetland 93 Grassland 94 Amphibians and Reptiles Introduction 97 Forest. 99 Wetland 100 Prairie 100 Lakes, Ponds, and Impoundments 101
Xl Creeks and Rivers 101 Cultural Habitats 102 Overall Habitat Quality and Current Management Concerns 102 Terrestrial Insects: Butterflies and Skippers Introduction 103 Typical Species 103 Information Gaps 104 Aquatic Biota Introduction 111 Statewide Comparison ofAquatic Biota lll Common Species 112 Threatened and Endangered Fishes 124 Threatened and Endangered Mussels 124 Non-native Species 125 Information Gaps 126 Water Quality 126 Environmental Problems 127 Potential Management Strategies for Aquatic Species 129 References 131 Appendix 1. Incomplete list ofvascularplant species known from the UDPAA 147 Appendix 2. Plant species, listed by scientific name 165
List ofFigures
Figure 1. Subbasins in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area 2 Figure 2. Major drainage basins oflllinois 3 Figure 3. Natural divisions in the Upper Des Plaines AssessmentArea 4 Figure 4. Cropland 9 Figure 5. Urban land 10 Figure 6. Forest.. 11 Figure 7. Grassland 12 Figure 8 Wetlands 13 Figure 9. Open water , 14 Figure 10. Natural areas, nature preserves, and biologically significant stream segments 21
List of Tables
Introduction Table 1. Natural division acreage 1 Table 2. Current land cover 7 Table 3. Wetland acreages 8 Table 4. Natural areas 16 Table 5. Category I natural communities 19 Table 6. Nature preserves 20 Table 7. Threatened and endangered species 22
xii Natural Vegetation Communities Table 8. lilinois threatened and endangered plant species 27 Table 9. Terrestrial natural communities , 33 Table 10. Invasive and exotic plant species and eradication methods 61
Birds Table II. List ofbird species in the Upper Des Plaines RiverAssessmentArea 64
Mammals Table 12. List ofmammal species in the Upper Des Plaines RiverAssessmentArea 90
Amphibians and Reptiles Table 13. List ofAmphibian and reptile species 98
Terrestrial InsectS: Butterflies and Skippers Table 14. ListofButterflies and skippers 105
Aquatic Biota Table 15. Freshwater fishes 113 Table 16. Freshwater fishes, by habitat.. 115 Table 17. Freshwater mussels " 117 Table 18. Freshwater mussels, by habitat... 118 Table 19. Freshwater crustaceans 119 Table 20. Freshwater crustaceans, by habitat. 120 Table 21. Aquatic macroinvertebrates 121
Xlll
Introduction
Physiographic Characteristics
The Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area (UDPAA) is an approximately 346.3 mile 2 221,637 acre) area including central Lake County, a north-central portion of Cook County, and a small portion in the northeastern corner of DuPage County (Figure I). This assessment area includes the basin of the Des Plaines River in Illinois from the Wisconsin border to the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in Cook County (Figures I and 2). The UDPAA occurs in the Wheaton Morainal Country and Chicago Lake Plain of the Central Lowland Province Physiographic Division (Leighton et al. 1948). The UDPAA lies within the Northeastern Morainal Natural Division (Table 1, Figure 3). Most (about 72%) of the assessment area lies within the Morainal Section of the natural division; the remainder occurs in the Chicago Lake Plain Section (Schwegman et al. 1973).
Table 1. Natural divisions occuring in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area.
Division & Section Acres % ofUDPAA
Northeastern MorainallMorainai Section 158,989 71.7 Northeastern Morainal/Chicago Lake Plain Section 62,677 28.3
Total: 221,666 100.0
1 Data from the GIS Natural Division Coverage Database (Illinois Geographic Information System)
Elevation within the basin ranges from about 800 ft. above sea level in the upper Des Plaines River basin, west of the river near the Wisconsin border, to about 600 ft. above sea level near the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The northern (Lake County) portion of the assessment area is a rather level to gently rolling plain ofWoodfordian aged glacial drift, a substage of Wisconsinan glaciation. The surface unit of the drift is the Wadsworth Till Member of the Wedron fortnation (Willman et al. 1975), and in the northern portion of the UDPAA it is pocketed with lakes and lake basins. The southern portion of the assessment area lies primarily on the Chicago Lake plain, a very level plain of lacustrine deposits. The Morainal Section is characterized by three primary morainic systems: the western border of the assessment area lies within the Valparaiso System, the Tinley Morainic System is a narrow band in the central portion of the UDPAA, and the eastern half is mostly in the Lake Border Morainic System. The latter is characterized by narrow north-south oriented morainic ridges up to 50-feet high separated by narrow valleys (Willman and Frye 1970). The Des Plaines River passes through this system until it reaches the Chicago Lake Plain in Cook County.
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Drainage basins from 1:24000 scale watershed boundaries as delineated by the U.S.G.S. Water Resources Division.
Figure 2. Major drainage basins of Illinois and location of the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area.
3 Natural Divisions II Northeastern Morainall L--l Morainal Section
D Northeastern Morainall Lake Michigan Lake Michigan Section [OJ Northeastern Morainall Chicago Lake Plain Section
I N I
Scale 1:332,640
Figure 3. Natural divisions in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area based on the classification developed by Schwegman (1973). 4 Topographic relief throughout the assessment area is provided by the glacial moraines and the dissection of the glacial drift by the Des Plaines River and lateral streams forming valleys and ravines. Thickness of glacial drift in the UDPAA ranges from a few feet to about 250 ft.
Soils in the UDPAA include mollisols (formed under grassland vegetation), histosols (formed primarily under wetland vegetation), and transitional forest/prairie soils. In general, the soils were formed within thin loess deposits «24 inches) and underlying glacial deposits (Wascher et aI. 1960). Textural characteristics range from loamy tiII to silty clay and lacustrine deposits. Drainage characteristics throughout the UDPAA range from well drained in the uplands to somewhat poorly drained to poorly drained in the valleys with permeability ranging from moderate to slow (Paschke and Alexander 1970). Soils developed under forest or savanna vegetation are primarily concentrated in stream valleys or associated with moraines (Fehrenbacher et ai. 1982). Silurian-aged dolomite underlies the region but is seldom, if anywhere, exposed in the UDPAA.
Climate Patterns}
The climate in the UDPRAA is typical of many continental locations, in that there are rather wide temperature fluctuations. However, this climate is moderated to some extent by its close proximity to Lake Michigan. Precipitation is variable. The average high temperature rF) in the summer is in the 80s with average lows in the 50s and 60s. Winter highs are generally in the 20s and 30s with lows in the teens and 20s. Record temperature extremes range from -27' F to a high of 108' F. There is an average of five and a half months without frost each year.
Precipitation is highest during April through September (averages of 3.31 to 3.97 inches per month) and lowest in January (1.71 inches) and February (1.24 inches), with a yearly average of 34.20 inches.
Vegetation History
The presettlement vegetation in Illinois generally can be described as prairie and forest. Interpretations of the original distribution of prairie and forest (Vestal 1931, Anderson 1970, Iverson et ai. 1989) consistently indicate a predominance of prairie occupying about 60% of the state's total land area. The general vegetation patterns of Lake County in 1820, the time of the Government Land Office (GLO) survey, has been described (Moran 1978). The native vegetation of the UDPAA east of the Des Plaines River was mostly savanna with local pockets of prairie, including wet prairie, and marsh. Forest communities were present along the east border of the river in southern Lake County and also in Cook County where they received protection from prairie/savanna fires.
1 Information in this section has been taken from the Upper Des Plaines River Area Assessment, Volume 2 (Illinois Department of Natural Resources 1997a). See that volume for a more detailed discussion of climate patterns and long-term trends in the UDPRAA.
5 West of the river was a complex of savanna, prairie, marsh, and small lakes (Moran 1978). GLO data indicate that about 34% of Lake County was prairie, while the majority was savanna (about 51 %). About 2% was open water and the remaining 13% was forest (Moran 1978). Based on GLO data, the UDPAA was about 40% (about 89,506 acres) prairie and 60% (about 131,494 acres) forest and savanna (Anderson 1970, Illinois Geographic Information System), a slightly greater proportion of prairie compared with Lake County as a whole (Moran 1978). Savannas, typically, were spatially dynamic and their total area and distribution varied on the presettlement landscape depending on several factors including local conditions of climate, and fire frequency and intensity (Taft 1997): Fire is generally considered to have been a major ecological factor in the maintenance of tall-grass prairie, savanna, and open woodland vegetation in the Midwest (Anderson 1970, 1983, 1990; Axelrod 1985; Taft et al. 1995).
It is not possible to determine with accuracy the total amount of presettlement wetlands in the UDPAA. Data indicating the total presettlement acreage of wetlands in Lake County, based on acreage of hydric soils, may provide an indication of the relative amount of wetland in the assessment area. Lake County had about 78,000 acres of wetlands, or about 26% of the total area (estimated wetland acres taken from Havera et al. [1994]; percent of county area generated using county acreage from Illinois Geographic Information System). Most of this was wet prairie, prairie pothole marsh, sedge meadow, peatland, and floodplain forest. Assuming the UDPAA had a similar proportion of wetland compared with Lake County, there were an estimated 57,600 acres of wetland (26%) in the assessment area.
Current Land Cover
The characterization of the land cover of the UDPAA is based on information from the Land Cover of Illinois database (Illinois Geographic Information System), which was derived from Landsat Thematic satellite imagery acquired between 1991 and 1995. Figures given for high quality acreages are based on the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory' Grade "A" and "B" land. They are meant only to reflect the areas that remain in an undegraded condition and to provide an opportunity to compare statewide trends of habitat destruction.
The landscape of the UDPAA is currently dominated by urban land uses (about 57%) (Table 3), and cropland (10,8% of the area) (Table 3, Figure 4). The southern half of the UDPAA includes part of the Chicago metropolitan area (Figure 5). About 18% of the UDPAA is forested (Table 3), with 16.3% being upland forest and 1.6% bottomland forest. As in the presettlement landscape, much of the forested area is concentrated on the slopes and bottomlands assocciated with rivers and, in particular, along the Des Plaines River (Figure 6). Judging from an interpretation of GLO survey data (Moran 1978), this may be a similar amount compared to presettlement totals in the assessment area. About 343 acres of forest (about 0.87%), including upland and floodplain forests and flatwoods, are high-quality and relatively undegraded.
I For a more complete description of the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, see the section on "Biologically Significant Features of Natural Communities" later in this chapter.
6 Table 2. Current land cover for the Upper Des Plaines River Assessment Area.
Land Cover Acres' Percent
Urban/Built-up 126,803 57.2 Upland forest 36,074 16.3 Cropland 23,987 10.8 Grassland 19,987 9.0 Nonforested wetlands 7,759 3.5 Bottomland forest 3,579 1.6 Water 3,445 --...1.& Total 221,637 100.0
t Acreage from the Land Cover of Illinois Database (Illinois Geographic Information System).
Grasslands, including pastures, hay, idle fields, road and railroad rights-of-way, and remnant prairies make up about 9% of the assessment area (Table 3). Grasslands are concentrated in the northern portion of the assessment area in the northern half of Lake County; they virtually are absent from the portion of the assessment area in Cook County (Figure 7). Although there are 19,987 acres of grassland in the region, a total of only about 18 acres of high-quality (undegraded) prairie remains in the UDPAA among three separate sites. An unknown quantity of degraded prairie persists locally. Some of this degraded prairie has restoration potential.
Wetlands have also declined dramatically in the UDPAA. Based on the Land Cover of Illinois Database (Illinois Geographic Information System), a current estimate of wetland area for the UDPAA (bottomland forest and nonforested wetlands such as marshes, wet meadows, and ponds) is about 11,338 acres, or 5.5% of the UDPRAA (Table 3). About 147 acres are high-quality and relatively undegraded (about 0.26% of estimated original wetland acreage). Wetlands are concentrated along the Des Plaines River and also are scattered throughout the assessment area in Lake County, particularly west of the river (Figure 8). Open water accounts for 1.6% of the area (Figure 3) and occurs mainly in the lakes of the assessment area (Figure 9).
The Illinois Wetlands Inventory (IWI) provides more detailed information about the different types of wetland acreage in the area (Illinois Geographic Information System). For the UDPAA, IWI data area was derived from high-altitude photography taken in 1980 and 1981. IWI data are the most recent comprehensive wetlands data available for the state. Based on IWI data, wetlands occupy 5.5% of the DPRAA area compared to 3.5% of the total area of the state (Suloway and Hubbell 1994). In the DPRAA, wetlands occupy about 12,140 acres (Table 4). Approximately 35.1% of the wetlands in the Des Plaines River assessment area are shallow marsh/wet meadow followed by bottomland forest (24.5%), deep marsh (16.1 %), open water wetlands (15.5%), shrub-scrub (4.7%), and shallow lake (4.1 %). Emergent wetlands are particularly abundant in the DPRAA; shallow marsh/wet meadow wetlands comprise about 35% of the wetlands acreage in the DPRAA compared to 13% of the wetland acreage for the state, and deep marsh covers 16% of the assessment area compared to 3.1 % statewide.
7 Bottomland forests are relatively less abundant in the DPRAA than for the state as a whole (24.5% vs. 60.5%, respectively).
Emergent wetlands range in size from less than 0.1 acre to 335 acres, with a mean size of 3.7 acres. There are 1,663 separate emergent wetlands in the DPRAA. Six of the seven largest emergent wetlands (the smallest of which is 100 acres) are located within eight miles of the Wisconsin border.
The mean size of contiguous forested wetlands is 7.5 acres; there are 390 separate forested wetlands in the Des Plaines River assessment area. The two largest contiguous forested tracts (239 and 106 acres) are located along the Des Plaines River near Gurnee and near Libertyville.
Table 3. Wetland habitat of the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Areal.
Acreage %of %of Wetland Assessment Category Area Area
Shallow Water Wetlands Palustrine Wetlands 0.00 0.0 0.0 Shrub-Scrub Wetlands 569.42 4.7 0.3 Forested Wetlands 0.00 0.0 0.0 Bottomland Forest 2,975.06 24.5 1.3 Swamp 0.39 0.0 0.0 ErnergentWetiands 0.00 0.0 0.0 Shallow MarshlWet Meadow 4,261.02 35.1 1.9 Deep Marsh 1,950.77 16.1 0.9 Open Water Wetlands 1,879.63 15.5 0.8 Subtotal Palustrine 11,636.29 95.8 5.2
Lacustrine Wetlands 0.00 0.0 0.0 Shallow Lake 502.46 4.1 0.2 Lake Shore 0.59 0.0 0.0 Emergent Lake 0.00 0.0 0.0 Subtotal Lacustrine 503.05 4.1 0.2
Riverine Wetlands 0.00 0.0 0.0 Perennial Riverine 0.00 0.0 0.0 Intermittent Riverine 0.88 0.0 0.0 Subtotal Riverine 0.88 0.0 0.0
Total Wetlands 12,140.22 100.0 5.5
I Adapted from L. Suloway, and M. Hubbell (1994).
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9 Lake Michigan
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Figure 5. Urban land in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area. Urban land depicted on this map includes urban/built-up land and urban grassland from the Land Cover of Illinois database, which is based ou Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite imagery from 1991-1995. 10 Lake Michigan
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Figure 6. Forest in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area. Forest depicted on this map includes upland and bottomland forest from the Land Cover of Illinois database, which is based on Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite imagery from 1991-1995.
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Figure 7. Grasslands in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area. Grasslands depicted on this map are nonurban grasslands from the Land Cover of Illinois database, which is based on Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite imagery from 1991-1995. 12 • j. " , ·· ~ ':-'1"" '. ':, ZiO~11II
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Figure 8. Wetlands in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area. Wetlands depicted on this map include nonforested wetlands and bottomland forest from the Land Cover of Illinois database, which is based on Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite imagery from 1991-1995. 13 "':"~'Fot ':'-t'..!..:,.6. • LAKpCO: .... 1 .: River' • . " ."/ "Antioc~). • '''\ . I SIr"".·.·. ~. > ...... ' Zion Z' -:, !.Do. I \~'" . I:l. ~ 'j' • :l!. 'tj- " ; (i" . ,,~. I 1/' ...."0' \~ ....! 't ROUlld , ", ... __ Lak, . _ waukega'~1 ...... Beach , .Th;rd:1dJlie .. ~J -I ~ ... Long Lake' • •.. ~ < •••• 1 ... (. t , , .~ I . I~'( .'. .. '. I '\ I .} Lake Michigan . I , I .. . l..ibertJvill", I ., ;;,...... I .-f .. ' -. SL.MaryLa,kt1 \ ", Ili'Bangs Lake'I. • \ I Wau,onda. '" .. I, '. • Lake \ ~ . Forest Fo~:te, ... ~. ~., Loch lLimond v~'m~/'" . . . ~ \ V~' Hill, ~ .' ,r • . ... ~ ft < \ I J N ., ~hland j . I .... P,,\ --l-.I. _ ...... "'~aITington... . COOK CO...:- \ .. ~. 7 .~.....,'" , .'.. \ Northbrook \ \ I '. \ - .. . , ". '..~ I. . , Scale 1:332,640 . • : , .1.....u ""'======.,1000-.Q 6 • .,\. ',' Des Plaines Skokie
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14 ------
Biologically Significant Features ofNatural Communities
Natural Areas and Nature Preserves
In 1978, an inventory of natural areas in Illinois was completed by the University of Illinois and the Natural Land Institute under a contract with the liIinois Department of Conservation (now the Illinois Department of Natural Resources). The original inventory was a three-year project that consisted of surveys to find, evaluate, describe, and classify natural areas of statewide significance (White 1978). The Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (INAI) is an ongoing process. The methods and criteria established during the original inventory are still used today to continually update the INAI by re-evaluating the previously defined natural areas or finding new sites that qualify.
The INAI established seven categories of natural areas based on significant features. The categories are: I - High Quality Natural Communities; II - Habitat for Endangered Species; III - Habitat for Relict Species; IV - Outstanding Geological Areas; V Approved Natural Areas and Restoration Sites; VI - Unique Natural Areas; and VII Outstanding Aquatic Areas. The INAI established a grading system to designate natural quality (White 1978). The natural quality of a community or area was graded from "A" (relatively stable or undisturbed) to "E" (very early successional or severely disturbed). In general only "A" and "B" communities are designated as significant or exceptional features.
There are 20 sites entirely within the UDPAA that have been identified by the INAI and an additional 6 sites occur at or very near the assessment area boundary (within a few hundred feet) and may be partially in and out (Table 4, Figure 10). Eleven of the sites within the assessment area boundary qualify as Category I (high-quality, undegraded) natural areas and three of the sites on the border also include Category I natural communities. A total of 21 high quality remnants of 10 different natural communities are present among these Category I sites. These natural areas comprise a total of 440 acres, or about 0.2% of the total area of the UDPAA (Table 5). This compares to 0.07% of Category I acreage for the entire state (White 1978). The high-quality natural communities within the UDPAA include remnants of dry-mesic upland forest, mesic upland forest, mesic floodplain forest, northern flatwoods, mesic prairie, wet-mesic prairie, wet prairie, marsh, calcareous floating mat, graminoid fen, and sedge meadow (Table 5). The remaining natural areas are Category II sites (threatened and endangered species localities). The area of all Category I and II INAI natural areas, including buffer areas, totals about 2,271.4 acres (about 1%) in the basin.
15 Table 4. Natural areas in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area abd surrounding regions'.
Acres in NA#' County Acres3 UDPAA Name
70 Lake 66.0 66.0 St. Francis Boys Camp 251 Cook 80.0 Wolf Road Prairie 253 Cook 11.0 Santa Fe Prairie 254 Cook 81.0 Somme Prairie 266 Cook 940.0 Crabtree Nature Center 391 Cook 18.0 Spring Creek Prairie 393 Cook 2.0 Glenbrook North High School Prairie 394 Cook 9.0 Shoe Factory Road Prairie 395 Cook 5.0 5.0 James Woodworth Prairie Preserve 396 Cook 2.0 Morton Grove Prairie 397 Cook 70.0 Edgebrook Flatwoods 505 DuPage 116.0 West Chicago Prairie 506 DuPage 1,421.0 Morton Arboretum 523 DuPage 41.0 Meacham Grove 524 DuPage 29.0 Churchill Prairie 526 DuPage 10.0 Belmont Prairie 527 DuPage 51.0 Maple Grove Forest Preserve 528 DuPage 2.0 Hinsdale Prairie 530 DuPage 210.0 Fullersburg Woods Nature Center 534 Cook 648.0 Busse Woods 535 Cook 4.0 Glencoe Balsam Poplar Site 648 Lake 2,233.0 Grass Lake Wetlands 649 Lake 57.0 57.0 Wadsworth Prairie and Savanna 650 Lake 92.0 7.4 Antioch Bog 651 Lake 17.0 Stanley Road Bog 652 Lake 82.0 82.0 Fourth Lake 653 Lake 20.0 20.0 River Road Woods 654 Lake 46.0 Oak Grove White Fringed Orchid Site 655 Lake 137.0 Blair Woods 656 Lake 37.0 Crabtree Farm Woods 657 Lake 83.0 Tangley Oaks Woods 658 Lake 29.0 Shaw Prairie 659 Lake 21.0 McLaughlin Prairie 661 Lake 41.0 Barrington Bog 662 Lake 74.0 Tower Lake Fen 663 Lake 133.0 133.0 Lloyd's Woods 664 Lake 36.0 36.0 Herrman's Woods 666 Lake 3.0 Ravinia Bluff 667 Lake 10.0 10.0 Sarah Fenton Hinde Preserve 670 Lake 168.0 Loon Lake 671 Lake 58.0 Dunn's Lake 673 Lake 348.0 Channel Lake 700 McHenry 4.0 Ski Hill Prairie 707 McHenry 296.0 Cotton Creek Marsh 708 McHenry 49.0 Bates Fen 709 McHenry 73.0 Weingart Road Sedge Meadow 713 McHenry 17.0 Hillside Prairie 794 Lake 136.0 Gavin Bog and Prairie 983 McHenry 304.0 Pistakee Bog
16 Table 4. Continued
Acres in NA#' County Acres' UDPAA Name 987 Lake 141.0 Turner Lake 1000 McHenry 163.0 Lac Louette 1001 Lake 447.0 Lyons Prairie and Marsh 1002 Lake 192.0 Wauconda Bog 1003 Lake 397.0 397.0 Macarthur Woods 1004 Lake 342.0 Cedar Lake 1005 Lake 325.0 Vola Bog 1006 Lake 35.0 Lake Bluff Woods 1007 Lake 329.0 329.0 Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area 1008 Lake 135.0 McCormick Nature Preserve 1012 McHenry 427.0 Kettle Moraine 1049 Lake 608.0 Waukegan Beach 1050 Lake 729.0 675.8 Deer Lake-Redwing Slough 1066 Lake 1,360.0 Illinois Dunes North 1078 Lake 25.0 Fort Sheridan Bluff 1083 Lake 829.0 Illinois Beach 1231 Lake 1.5 1.5 Prairie White Fringed Orchid Preserve 1232 Lake 0.0 0.0 Old McHenry Road Site 1233 Lake 0.0 0.0 Long Grove Site 1234 Lake 0.0 Riverwoods Site 1235 Lake 37.0 Hybernia-Highmoor Prairie 1236 Lake 8.0 8.0 Buffalo Grove Prairie 1237 Lake 31.0 Fairfield Road Marsh South 1238 Lake 29.0 Cuba Marsh 1240 Lake 22.0 Roberts Road Fen 1241 Lake 5.5 Rivers Bend Marsh 1242 Lake 227.0 Round Lake 1243 Lake 228.0 Round Lake Marsh 1244 Lake 207.0 Deep Lake 1245 Lake 32.5 Middle Fork Savanna 1246 Lake 4.0 Blodgett Bluff 1247 Lake 2.0 Fort Sheridan Site 1248 Lake 24.0 Sun Lake 1249 Lake 0.0 0.0 McDonald Woods Marsh 1250 Lake 0.0 Lyons Woods 1251 Lake 8.0 Oak Grove White Fringed Orchid Site North 1252 Lake 38.0 38.0 Liberty Prairie 1253 Lake 240.0 240.0 Almond Marsh 1259 McHenry 4.0 Cary Main Street Prairie 1271 McHenry 80.0 Lily Lake 1375 Cook 0.0 Brookfield Prairie 1376 Cook 2.0 Sauganash Prairie 1377 Cook 0.0 0.0 Schiller Woods 1378 Cook 2.0 Hubbard Woods Site 1379 Cook 137.0 137.0 Carle Woods 1381 Cook 10.0 Palatine Prairie 1382 Cook 13.6 Mundhank Road Marsh 1383 Cook 93.0 Gray Farm Park Marsh 1384 Cook 84.0 Palatine Road Marsh
17 Table 4. Continued
Acres in NA#' County Acres' UDPAA Name
1385 Cook 51.0 Wgn Marsh 1386 Cook 225.0 Baker's Lake 1387 Cook 23.0 Clayton F. Smith Woods 1388 Cook 21.0 Miami Prairie - Indigo Oak Openings 1390 Cook 10.0 Wayside Prairie 1391 DuPage 52.0 Swift Road Meadow 1392 DuPage 0.0 Wood Dale Grove 1395 DuPage 0.0 West Dupage Forest Preserve 1397 DuPage 0.0 Herricks Lake Forest Preserve 1398 DuPage 0.0 McKee Marsh 1399 DuPage 8.0 East Branch Marsh 1400 DuPage 16.0 Songhird Slough 1402 DuPage 29.0 Prince Crossing Marsh 1403 DuPage 19.0 Route 59 Marsh 1404 DuPage 0.0 Fischer Woods 1431 Cook 0.0 0.0 Thatcher Woods Prairie 1433 DuPage 0.0 Rodenburg Marsh 1469 Cook 69.0 16.0 Kennicott's Grove 1471 DuPage 0.0 Lyman Woods 1487 Lake 22.0 Cross Lake 1488 Lake 96.0 Windance Acres Marsh 1492 McHenry 276.0 Nippersink Marsh 1495 Cook 0.0 Glenview Naval Air Station 1496 DuPage 0.0 County Farm Road Wetland 1500 Lake 40.0 Florsheim Park 1501 Lake 0.1 Intern Seep 1502 Lake 27.8 Schreiber Lake Bog 1503 McHenry 0.0 Black-crown Marsh Total acres: 2,258.8
I Bold type indicates natural areas within the UDPAA. 2 The number of the natural area (NA#) refers to the number designated in the Natural Heritage database (Illinois Department ofNatural Resources 1997b) and in Figure 10. 3 Natural areas with a 0.0 acreage figure do not have an established boundary and therefore have not had their area calculated.
18 Table 5. Category 1 natural communities in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area (Category I indicates natural communities that have remained relatively undisturbed and in high-quality condition: Grades A and B)
Grades Acres of Category I Acres of Category I % of Illinois Category I inUDPAA in the UDPAA in Illinois in the UDPAA UDPAA IL %oflL Community type Grade A Grade B Total Grade A GradeB Total Grade A Grade B Total dry-mesic upland forest A,B 29.0 82.0 111.0 986.0 334.0 1320.0 2.9 24.6 8.4 mesic upland forest A,B 13.0 102.0 115.0 1058.0 1473.0 2531.0 1.2 6.9 4.5 mesic floodplain forest A,B 4.0 59.0 63.0 36.0 174.0 210.0 11.1 33.9 30.0 northern flatwoods B - 54.0 54.0 - 86.0 86.0 - 62.8 62.8 mesic prairie A,B 2.0 9.1 11.1 54.0 220.0 274.0 3.7 4.1 4.1 wet-mesic prairie B 1.0 1.6 2.6 26.0 99.0 125.0 3.8 - 2.1 wet prairie B - 4.3 4.3 12.0 169.0 . 181.0 - 2.5 2.4 marsh B - 13.0 13.0 310.0 1920.0 2230.0 - 0.7 0.6 calcareous floating mat A 16.0 - 16.0 107.0 60.0 167.0 14.0 - 9.6 graminoid fen B - 0.1 0.1 67.0 66.0 133.0 - 0.1 0.08 sedge meadow B 0.0 50.0 50.0 155.0 533.0 688.0 - 9.4 7.3
Totals 65.0 375.1 440.1 2811.0 5134.0 7945.0
I White and Madany (1978).
Nature preserves are areas of land or water in public or private ownership that are formelly dedicated to receive maximum protection of significant natural features. The central goal of the nature preserve system, currently with about 236 preserves in the state, is to protect and preserve examples of all significant natural features found in Illinois for the purposes of scientific research, education, conserving biodiversity, and esthetic enjoyment. Nature preserves are administered largely by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC). Preserves usually are the shared responsibility of the INPC, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and land owners (McFall and Karnes 1995).
Nine sites dedicated as Illinois Nature Preserves occur within or partly in the boundary of the UDPAA (Table 6); each contains noteworthy remnants of natural communities including areas recognized by the INA!. All but one of these nature preserves occur in Lake County (Figure 10). Within the UDPAA, there are no state or federally owned parks, conservation areas, forest preserves, or fish and wildlife areas. As a result, the natural areas and nature preserves are vitally important to the conservation of natural communities in the region.
19 Table 6. Nature preserves in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area and surrounding region'.
Acres in NP#' Corr - NA' County Acres UDPAA Name
I 1083 Lake 829.0 Illinois Beach 3 534 Cook 3.0 440.0 Busse Woods 8 420 Cook 245.0 Salt Creek Woods 10 394 Cook 9.0 Shoe Factory Road Prairie II 390 Cook 560.0 Spring Lake 25 1005 Lake 161.0 Volo Bog 26 1002 Lake 67.0 Wauconda Bog 40 1007 Lake 278.9 278.9 Edward L. Ryerson 56 983 McHenry 228.0 Pistakee Bog 57 1004 Lake 27.5 Cedar Lake Bog 73 396 Cook 1.3 Morton Grove Prairie 79 228 Lake 33.0 33.0 Reed-Turner Woodland 82 1003 Lake 446.0 446.0 MacArthur Woods 83 649 Lake 176.0 Wadsworth Prairie 88 794 Lake 104.7 Gavin Bog and Prairie 91 1001 Lake 259.2 Lyons Prairie and Marsh 98 707 McHenry 247.4 Cotton Creek Marsh 99 663 Lake 104.6 104.6 Lloyd's Woods 119 1386 Cook 209.9 Bakers Lake 122 254 Cook 70.0 Sornrne Prairie 139 393 Cook 1.5 Glenbrook No. High School Prairie 158 661 Lake 41.0 Barrington Bog 164 251 Cook 44.0 Wolf Road Prairie 166 1066 Lake 200.0 North Dunes 167 988 Lake 95.0 Turner Lake Fen 193 1252 Lake 47.1 47.1 Liberty Prairie 194 1253 Lake 16.1 16.1 Oak Openings 195 1253 Lake 110.0 110.0 Almond Marsh 197 1235 Lake 27.0 Hybemia 203 1235 Lake 10.0 Highrnoor Park 213 1066 Lake 274.0 Spring Bluff 216 658 Lake 100.0 Skokie River 225 524 DuPage 65.0 Churchill Prairie 233 1240 Lake 20.0 Farm Trails North 242 662 Lake 40.0 Wagner Fen 249 662 Lake 10.0 Tower Lakes Fen Total acres: 1,475.7
I Bold type designates nature preserves within the UDPAA. 2 The nature preserve number (NP#) refers to the number designated in the Natural Heritage database (Illinois Department of Natural Resources 1997b) and in Figure II. 3 Each ofthe nature preserves is associated with a corresponding natural area (Corr.-NA) referred to in Table 4.
20 Neturel arees within the Eloundery --_ -..-..- _----._ -..
70 St. Frencis Boys Cemp 395 James Woodworth Prairie Preserve 534 Elulle Woods 649 Wadllworth Proirie lind Silvonno 650 Antioch Bog 652 Fourth Leite 653 River Road Woods 663 lloyd's Woods 664 Herrmon's Woods 667 Soreh Fenton Hinde Preserve 1003 Mocarthur Woods 1007 Edward L. Ryerson Conservetien Area 1050 Deer lalte--Redwing Sleugh 1231 Prairie White Fringed Orchid Preserve 1232 Old Mchenry Road Site 1233 long Grove Site 1236 BUffalo Grove Prairie 1249 McDonald Woods Marsh 1252 liberty Pr.!lirie ( 1253 Almond M lush 1375 Elrooltfield Preirie 1377 Schiller Wood, 1379 C.!Irle Woods 1392 Wood Dale Grove 1404 Fischer Woods 1431 Th.!ltcher Woods Pr.!lirie 1469 Kennicott's Grove
Nature Preservea within the Eloundary
3 BUlSe Woods 40 Edword l. Ryerson 79 Reed-Turner Woodlond 82 MocArthurWoods 83 Wadsworth Preirie 99 Lloyd's Woods I 193 Liberty Proirie -L __ ~ 194 Oolt Openings 195 Almond Marsh o Barrington.,.
o 148 Nature preserve .97 Natural area Biologically Significant • Stream
Skokie
Schaumburg • • COOKCO,-- ! DUPA~CO. N ,. j • 0• ,. ." "• Chicago • Elm:rs} • Lombard • West • I ChiCago • Nature preserves and natural areas Wheaton. I boundaries from 1:24000 IGIS database, • Jaunary, 1997. • . I, Berwyn Significant stream data from Page. L. M. OakBroOk" 01 • et. aI., 1992. Stream data derived from • 1:100000 U.S,G.S. DLG hydrology.
Figure 10. Natural areas, nature preserves, Scale 1:332640 and biologically significant stream segments in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area.
21 Threatened and Endangered Species
At least 58 species of threatened and endangered plants and animals occur in the UDPAA (Table 7). This number includes I species that is federally endangered. Only 7.2% of the state's 363 threatened or endangered plants are known to occur in the UDPAA. For other taxa, the percentage of the state's threatened or endangered species that occur in the area are as follows: mollusks (0%) insects (36.4%), fishes (13.3%), amphibians (0%), reptiles (15.4%), birds (52%), and mammals (0%).
This list includes only those species that are known to breed in the UDPAA. Migrant bird species and those that only overwinter in the area are not listed in table 7; these species will be mentioned in the chapters that describes bird communities.
Table 7. Threatened and endangered species occurring in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Areal. (ST ; state threatened; SE ; state endangered; Fr ; federally threatened; FE ; federally endangered)
Plants: American cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon SE American dog violet Viola conspersa ST beaked sedge Carex rostrata ST black-seeded rice grass Dryzopsis racemosa ST bog bedstraw Galium labradoricum ST bulrush Scirpus hattorianus SE common bog arrow grass Triglochin maritimum SE downy Solomon's seal Polygonatum pubescens ST downy willow herb Epilobium strictum ST dwatf raspberry Rubus pubescens ST grass-leaved pondweed Potamogeton gramineus SE hairy white violet Viola incognita SE little green sedge Carex viridula SE marsh speedwell Veronica scutellata ST millet grass Milium effusum SE mountain blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium montanum SE northern cranesbill Geranium bicknellii SE pale vetchling Lathyrus ochroleucus ST prairie white-fringed orchid Platanthera leucophaea SE,Ff pretty sedge Carex woodii SE purple-fringed orchid Platanthera psycodes SE queen-of-the-prairie Filipendula rubra ST slender bog arrow grass Triglochin palustrus SE slender bog arrow grass Triglochin palustrus SE small sundrops Denothera perennis SE Tuckerman's sedge Carex tuckermanii SE white lady's-slipper orchid Cypripedium candidum SE
22 Table 7. Continued
Insects: Swamp Metalmark Calephelis mutica SE Hoary Elfin Incisalia polia SE Melissa Blue Lycaeides melissa FE Ottoe Skipper Hesperia ottoe ST
Fishes: ironcolor shiner Notropis chalybaeus ST blackchin shiner Notropis heterodon ST blacknose shiner Notropis heterolepis SE Iowa darter Etheostoma exile SE
Reptiles: Kirtlands water snake Clonophis kirtlandii ST eastern massasauga Sistrurus catenatus SE
Birds: Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps ST Double-crested Cormorant Phalarocorax auritus ST American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus SE Least Bittern lxobrychus exilis SE Great Egret Ardea albus ST Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax SE Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax violaceus ST Northem Harrier Circus cyaneus SE Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus SE Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus SE King Rail Rallus elegans ST Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus ST Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis SE Forester's Tern Sternaforsteri SE Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda SE Black Tern Chilidonias niger SE Barn Owl Tyto alba SE Brown Creeper Certhia americana ST Veery Catharusfuscescens ST Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus ST Henslow's Sparrow Ammodramus henslowii SE Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus SE
23
Natural Vegetation Communites
The description of the vegetation for the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area (UDPAA) is organized into six sections: I) Comparison of Biodiversity in the UDPAA to Statewide Patterns, 2) Threatened and Endangered Species, 3) Disturbance, Habitat Quality, and Restoration Potential, 4) Natural Areas and Nature Preserves, 5) Natural Community Descriptions, and 6) Summary and Recommendations.
Comparison of Biodiversity in the UDPAA to Statewide Patterns
Vegetation Communities
It is difficult to provide precise estimates for community level trend data in the UDPAA because the region was characterized by a complex heterogeneity of habitat types without clearly defined natural community boundaries. As a result, totaling the amounts of certain habitat types, for example prairie and savanna, is based partly on arbitrary distinctions. Nevertheless, habitat losses and degradation for forest and wetlands in the UDPAA appear to be less than rates for the state as a whole; habitat losses and degradation for savanna and prairie appear to be at similar, or at slightly less-severe rates, when compared to statewide trends. Trends for the UDPAA as a whole, with 440 acres remaining in a high-quality, undegraded condition (about 0.2% of total area), are not as severe as statewide levels of habitat degradation where only 0.07% of total area of the state remains in a high-quality, undegraded condition (White 1978). In spite of these differences, the overall trends are not encouraging. About 99.8% of the land cover in the UDPAA has been destroyed to some extent and the rapid pace of development continues to threaten the small number of remaining high-quality sites. Trends for each community class are described below.
Prairie - About 0.01 % (2,300 acres) of the original area of prairie in the state persists in a high-quality condition (White 1978); no data are available for the total acreage of prairie in Illinois including degraded remnants. The approximately 18 acres of undegraded prairie remaining within the assessment area is about 0.02% of the original extent. Most acreage of relatively undisturbed prairie in the state is from agriculturally less suitable lands such as sand deposits (-47%) or steep loess hills (-16%), and these prairie types are not found in the UDPAA.
Forest - About 30% of the original area of forest remains statewide (Iverson et al. 1989), although only about 0.3% of this and 0.1 % of presettlement forest area remains in a high quality condition. Although there is imprecise knowledge of forest cover in the presettlement assessment area, GLO survey data would suggest that the area of land currently forested (18%) is comparable to the presettlement forested area (Table 2). Of this, 0.87% remains undegraded, indicating that trends of forest habitat loss and degradation appear to be somewhat less in the assessment area when compared to statewide trends. 25 Savanna - Savannas have declined in area throughout Illinois and the Midwest, perhaps more than any other community class (Taft 1997), and the UDPAA is no exception to this trend. About 51 % of Lake County was savanna around 1840 (Moran 1978) indicating savanna formerly was a major community type in the assessment area. According to the results of the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (INAl), no areas of savanna remain in the UDPAA in an undegraded condition. Areas of former savanna that have restoration potential are present in the assessment area and restoration activities currently are underway at some sites in the region.
, Wetlands - Natural wetlands in Illinois have declined from presettlement statewide estimates of about 23% of the land area to about 2.6% (Havera et al. 1994), or about 11 % of the original total. Only about 6,000 acres remain in a high-quality condition (White 1978), representing about 0.65% of the remaining and 0.07% of the original wetland area (Havera et al. 1994). The approximately 12,140 acres (5.5%) of the UDPAAremaining as wetland, an estimated 21 % of original extent, indicates that wetland loss in the assessment area is less than statewide trends. The approximately 147 acres remaining in a relatively undegraded condition (about 1.2% or remaining wetlands and 0.26% of original extent) indicate that rates of wetland degradation also appear to be less in the UDPAA compared with statewide trends.
Vascular plant species - The species richness of vascular plants within the UDPAA at the time of European settlement is unknown. About 662 plant taxa have been reported from within thea ssessment area (Appendix 1) in recent times. This should be considered an incomplete listing of species as it probably underestimates species richness of both native and non-native taxa in the UDPAA. Several common species of certain community types could not be verified from within the boundaries of the assessment area during the preparation of this report and are not included in the appendix. This estimate of species richness compares to about 2,200 native taxa and 3,102 total taxa reported from Illinois (Mohlenbrock 1986). The extraordinary loss of habitat in the UDPAA also results in reduction in population sizes for species, particularly those sensitive to habitat degradation. As populations decline in size, they become more likely to undergo local extinctions. The richness of native species has probably declined in the UDPAA since European settlement as a result of reduced population sizes, local extirpations, habitat destruction and degradation; in contrast, non-native taxa have increased. At the statewide scale, prairie species appear to form a somewhat resistant species pool. Despite the tremendous loss of prairie habitat in Illinois, only about five taxa have been extirpated from the state (Taft 1995a). However, numerous prairie species occur at low population levels in the state, and about 103 are listed as threatened and endangered (Herkert 1991, Taft 1995a).
Illinois Threatened and Endangered Species
Twenty-four plant species listed by the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board (IESPB) as threatened or endangered (T&E) have been reported from within the UDPAA, mostly in the Lake County portion; only five taxa occur exclusively in the Cook County portion of the assessment area (Table 8).
26 Table 8. Threatened or endangered plant species from the the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area. (SE = state endangered, ST = state threatened, FI' = federally threatened).
EOR' Common Name Scientific Name Status in near Habitat Range: U.S. and UDPAA
American cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon SE Bogs Northeastern U.S. Known from McHenry, Lake. and Cook cos. American dog violet Viola conspersa ST 4 Mesic forests; Northeastern U.S. and into the Appalachian Mtns. flatwoods Known in McHenry, Lake, Cook, and DuPage oos. American larch Larix laricina ST Bogs; forested fens Northeastern U.S. to northern IL. Populations persist in McHenry and Lake cos. American slough grass Beckmannia syzigachne SE Wet prairies Western and north-central U.S. Populations known from Lake and Cook cos. beaked rush Rhynchospora alba ST Bogs; fens Northern U.S. Known from McHenry, Lake, and Cook cos. beaked sedge Carex rostrata ST 2 Sedge meadows; Northern U.S. Populations in Lake, McHenry, calcareous floating and DuPage cos. mats black-seeded rice grass Oryzopsis racemosa ST Mesic forests Northeastern U.S. Known from Lake, Cook, Kane, and Grundy cos. bog bedstraw Galium labradoricum ST Bogs; fens; sedge Northeastern U.S. Known from McHenry, Lake, meadows and Kane cos. bulrush Scirpus hattorianus SE Open wetlands Northeastern U.S. Known from Lake Co. common bog arrow grass Triglochin maritimum SE Fens; pannes; Northern U.S. into the Rocky Mtns. Populations calcareous seeps in McHenry, Lake, Kane, and Will cos. cord root sedge Carex chorJorrhiza SE Bogs Northeastern U.S. Known only from Lake Co. and possibly McHenry Co. Crawe's sedge Carex crawei ST Fens; sand prairies; Northern and eastern U.S. Known from six NE and swales Illinois counties including Lake and Cook. Crawford's oval sedge Carex crawfordii SE 2 Marsh NJ, MI, WI, MN, and WA. Known only from Lake Co. downy Solomon's seal Polygonatum pubescens ST Mesic forests Northeastern U.S and adjacent Canada. Known from Lake, Cook, and Will cos. downy willow herb Epilobium strictum ST Bogs; fens; seeps Northeastern U.S. Populations in McHenry and Lake cos. dwarf raspberry Rubus pubescens ST 2 Mesic forests; Northeastern U.S. into the Rocky Mtns. Known flatwoods; bogs; fens from Lak~, Kane, DuPage, and Cook cos. ear-leaved foxglove Tomanthera auriculata ST Moist prairies; OH to MN,'south to KS. Known from Lake, savannas Kane, DuPage, Cook, and Will cos. fern pondweed Potamogeton mbbinsii SE 3 Gladal lakes Northern U.S. Known from McHenry, Lake and Cook cos. golden sedge Carex aurea SE Prairies Northern U.S. Populations known from Lake, Cook, and Kane cos. grass-leaved pondweed Potamogeton gramineus SE 2 Lakes; ponds; streams Boreal; south into northern U.S. and the Rocky Mtns. Known in McHenry, Lake, and Cook cos. hairy white violet Viola incognita SE Flatwoods; forested Boreal eastern Canada and adjacent northeastern fens; mesic forests U.S. Populations in Lake and Cook cos. little green sedge Carex viridula SE 2 Springs; marl flats; Northeastern U.S. south in the Rocky Mtns. and calcareous Known from McHenry, Lake, Cook and floating mats DuPage cos. marsh speedwell Veronica scutellata ST 3 marshes; graminoid Northeastern U.S. and into the Rocky Mtns. fens Known in Lake, Cook, DuPage and Will cos. millet grass Milium effusum SE Openings in northern Eastern Canada and northeastern U.S. hardwood forests Known from Cook Co. mountain blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium montanum SE Mesic prairies Boreal Canada and adjacent northern U.S. Known in Lake and Cook cos.; possibly in DuPage Co. northern cranesbiII Geranium bicknellii SE . Dry forest openings; Central and eastern Canada, and adjacent northern and disturbed sites U.S. Known from Lake Co.; possibly in Cook and DuPage cos.
27 Table 8. Continued
EOR' Common Name Scientific Name Status in near Habitat Range: U.S. and UDPAA northern grape fern Botrychium multifidum SE Mesic forests; sand Circumboreal. south into northeastern U.S. savannas; succes Known from Lake and Cook cos. sionsal habitats pale vetchling Lathyrus ochroleucus ST 3 Savannas; ravines Northeastern U.S. Present in Lake, McHenry, Ogle, and Jo Daviess cos. prairie white·fringed orchid Platanthera leucophaea SE,FT 3 3 Mesidwet prairies East-central and eastern U.S. Known from eight mostly NE Illinois counties including Lake, Cook, and DuPage. pretty sedge Carex woodii SE 3 Mesic calcareous Northeastern U.S. and adjacent Canada. Known forests from Lake and Cook cos. purple-fringed orchid Platanthera psycodes SE 2 Flatwood openings; Boreal eastern Canada, south into NE U,S. and the mesic sand Appalachians. Populations in Lake Co.; possibly prairies in Cook Co. queen-of-the-prairie Filipendula rubra ST Prairie; fens Eastern U.S. Known from Cook, Will, Grundy, and McHenry cos. and a probable planting in a prairie remnant in the UDPAA. round-leaved sundew Drosera rotundlfolia SE Bogs Eastern and western U.S. Populations known from McHenry, Lake, and Cook cos. seaside crowfoot Ranunculus cymbalaria SE Saline and brackish Circumboreal, south into northeastern and central shores; occasionally U.S. to Mexico. Known from Lake Co.; possibly freshwater. in Cook and DUPage cos. slender bog arrow grass Triglochin palustrus SE Fens; pannes; Northern U.S. into the Rocky Mtns. Known from calcareous seeps McHenry, Lake, and Cook cos. Possibly in Kane and Kendall cos. small sundrops Oenothera perennis SE 2 2 Gravel prairie; mesic Eastern U.S. Populations in Lake and Cook cos. prairie; old field swoIIen sedge Carex intumescens SE Forested wetlands Eastern U.S. and adjacent Canada. Known from Cook Co. Tuckerman's sedge Carex tuckennanii SE 2 3 Flatwoods and wet North-central U.S., and north to adjacent Canada. -mesic forests Populations in Lake and DuPage cos.; possibly in Cook Co. white lady's-slipper orchid Cypripedium candidum SE Wet-mesic prairies; North-central and northeastern U.S. Known from fens McHenry, Lake, Cook, DuPage, and Will cos. white-stemmed pondweed Potamogeton praelongus SE Cold water lakes Northern U.S. and the Rocky Mtns. Populations in Lake Co. and possibly McHenry and Cook cos.
I EOR _ element occurance record - indicates the number of reported sightings of each species as of 1997. In _ within the UDPAA; near:::; within a one-mile buffer zone of the UDPAA.
It is interesting to note that another 15 T&E taxa occur within a one-mile buffer area around the UDPAA border. as well as additional populations of II of the 24 taxa found within the assessment area (Table 8). Lake and Cook counties are rich in the number of plant taxa listed as threatened or endangered in Illinois, ranking first and second statewide, respectively. Populations of about III T&E plant taxa are known to occur within the area shown in Figure I (30.6% of the 363 total listed in the state [Herkert 1991, 1994]). including at least 72 T&E species known from outside the assessment area but within the mapped area (FIgure I). Few, if any. strategically placed polygons on the Illinois landscape would yield occurrences of so many T&E species. This abundance of rare taxa for Illinois is due largely to the combination of large-scale habitat destruction
28 and degradation and the presence of several unique community types that support many species at the edge of their ranges (e.g., bogs, fens, marl flats, floating mats, lakeshore communities). Habitat loss and degradation among once common natural communities such as prairie and savanna also have contributed to the abundance of rare taxa in the region.
Threatened and endangered species found within the UDPAA occur among numerous habitat types. The habitats supporting the most T&E species in the assessment area include mesic upland forest, fens, and flatwoods (Table 8). Most of the T&E species have ranges principally northeast and north of Illinois (Table 8). Note that one 'of the taxa reported from the boundaries of the UDPAA (prairie white-fringed orchid) also is listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency as a federally threatened species (Table 8). The prairie white-fringed orchid was formerly widespread in prairie and wetland communities throughout the northern half of Illinois. However, habitat destruction and degradation have reduced this species to scattered localities primarily in northeastern Illinois. In recent years, a few populations have been found in degraded prairie and wetland remnants in northeastern Illinois. Prairie and wetland habitats, even somewhat degraded remnants, within the UDPAA may support small, undetected populations of this species. Though this orchid is a very distinctive species, it can be surprisingly cryptic. The best search time for this species is in late June or early July when flowering occurs. Annual fluctuation in population size has been positively correlated to rainfall amount (Bowles et al. 1992).
Disturbance, Habitat Quality, and Restoration Potential
In addition to habitat loss, most remnant plant communities in the UDPAA have experienced anthropogenic disturbances that have resulted in differing levels of degradation. Fire absence, fragmentation, and exotic species introductions are other typical consequences of intensive habitat conversion that have implications for habitat restoration potential. These issues are discussed below.
Disturbance is a general term referring to any perturbation. Plant communities (or ecosystems) are degraded when recovery to original condition is unlikely under normal circumstances. Degraded lands can be distinguished further by those that can be restored to original condition through management efforts and those which, at best, can be reclaimed for only limited use in severe examples (e.g., strip mining), or rehabilitated to a condition somewhat similar to the original but where compositional differences remain (Lovejoy 1975). Degraded lands are derelict when land uses become very limited (Brown and Lugo 1994). Perturbations that exceed the intensity, frequency, or duration of the natural disturbance regime can result in loss of species lacking tolerance or adaptations to the new levels. When certain "keystone" species, or assemblages of other taxa, are extirpated from a community, the system's capability for restoration is diminished and integrity is lowered. A common source of degradation in Illinois plant communities is over grazing; however, there are often multiple factors interacting.
29 Fire is an example of a large-scale natural disturbance in many midwestern plant communities, and fire frequency is an important determining factor for many community characteristics. The compositional and structural characteristics of many native Illinois plant communities demonstrate some level of fire dependency. Fire absence in these communities can result in profound changes in community characteristics. For example, vegetational changes common throughout Illinois, such as from prairie to shrub thicket or forest, or oak-dominated woodland to maple-dominated forest, are attributable to reduced fire frequency and fire absence.
Fragmentation is a process describing landscape patterns where habitat remnants become isolated by land conversions. Fragmented habitats often undergo alterations in many environmental conditions. Increased surface area of edge compared to volume can result in changes in soil moisture conditions and levels of solar radiation, as well as increased opportunity for exotic species invasions and wind damage (Gelhausen et aI., in review). High levels of fragmentation limit restoration potential of degraded sites since species immigration, needed to compensate for the local extirpations of plants with low population levels, is seriously challenged (Taft 1996, 1997). Fragmented habitats support fewer species and at lower population levels compared to less fragmented habitats. Species at lower population levels are prone to local extirpation.
Integrity is lowered not only by the loss of native species, but also by the introduction of exotic (non-native, adventive) species. Adventive taxa in a system may sort into disturbance or habitat niches that results in the replacement of native taxa. The establishment of adventive taxa can result in arrested development and interfere with rates of recovery processes. The recovery potential of plant communities with appropriate ecological restoration and management is an area of much needed additional research. Specific and general recommendations for restoration of natural communities in the UDPAA, including exotic species control measures, are offered in the "Summary and Recommendations" section following descriptions of Natural Communities.
Natural Areas and Nature Preserves
The Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (lNAI) was conducted over a three-year period during the mid 1970's to document remaining significant and exceptional examples of the natural communities and other features in Illinois (White 1978). The INAI established seven categories of natural areas based on significant features. The categories are: I - High Quality Natural Communities; II - Habitat for Endangered Species; III - Habitat for Relict Species; IV - Outstanding Geological Areas; V Approved Natural Areas and Restoration Sites; VI - Unique Natural Areas; and VII Outstanding Aquatic Areas. The INAI established a grading system to rank natural quality (White 1978). The natural quality of a community type was graded from "A" (relatively stable or undisturbed) to "E" (very early successional or severely degraded). In general only "A" and "B" communities are designated as significant or exceptional features.
30 There are 20 sites entirely within the UDPAA that have been identified by the INAI and an additional 6 sites occur at or very near (within a few hundred feet) the assessment area boundary and may be partially in and out of it (Table 4, Figure 10). Eleven of the sites within the assessment area boundary qualify as Category I (high-quality, undegraded) natural areas and 3 of the sites on the border also include Category I natural communities. A total of 21 high quality remnants of 10 different natural communities are present among these Category I sites. These natural areas comprise a total of 440 acres, or about 0.2% of the total area of the UDPAA (Table 5). This compares to 0.07% of Category I acreage for the entire state (White 1978). The high-quality natural communities within the UDPAA include remnants of dry-mesic upland forest, mesic upland forest, mesic floodplain forest, northern flatwoods, mesic prairie, wet-mesic prairie, wet prairie, marsh, calcareous floating mat, graminoid fen, and sedge meadow (Table 5). The remaining natural areas are Category II sites (threatened and endangered species localities). The area of all Category I and II INAI natural areas, including buffer areas, totals about 2,271.4 acres (about 1%) in the basin. Comparison of the area of Category I natural communities in relation to the total remaining in Illinois is described under each community type below.
Nature preserves are areas of land or water in public or private ownership that are formerly dedicated to receive maximum protection of significant natural features. The central goal of the nature preserve system, currently with about 236 preserves in the state, is to protect and preserve examples of all significant natural features found in Illinois for the purposes of scientific research, education, conserving biodiversity, and esthetic enjoyment. Nature preserves are administered largely by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC). Preserves usually are the shared responsibility of the INPC, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and land owners (McFall and Karnes 1995).
Nine sites dedicated as Illinois Nature Preserves occur within or partly in the boundary of the UDPAA (Table 6); each contains noteworthy remnants of natural communities including areas recognized by the INAI. All but one of these nature preserves occur in Lake County (Figure 7). Summarizing from McFall and Karnes (1995), each nature preserve is described briefly below.
Busse Woods (Cook County) - This 440-acre site is within the Ned Brown Forest Preserve and is part of the Morainal Section of the Northeastern Morainal Natural Division. Natural communities present include northern flatwoods, upland forest, and marsh. Deer over browsing has been a serious problem at the preserve. The preserve is partially within the boundary of the assessment area.
Edward L. Ryerson (Lake County) - This 279-acre site bordering the Des Plaines River is within the Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area, owned by the Lake County Forest Preserves District. Four distinct forest communities are present including wet floodplain forest, mesic upland forest, dry-mesic forest, and northern flatwoods.
31 Reed-Turner Woodland (Lake County) - This 33-acre site is part of a former prairie grove established on slopes bordering Indian Creek. The present area contains remnants of upland and floodplain forest and forest openings with several prairie species. Management activities on the site are attempting to restore savannalike conditions to portions of the site.
MacArthur Woods (Lake County) - This site is a 446-acre forest that contains representative examples of dry-mesic upland forest, mesic floodplain forest, and northern flatwoods of the Morainal Section. The site borders is bordered on the east by the Des Plaines River.
Wadsworth Prairie (Lake County) - This nature preserve is 176 acres in size and includes high-quality remnants of mesic, wet-mesic, and wet prairie and marsh typical of the Des Plaines River valley.
Lloyd's Woods (Lake County) - This approximately lO5-acre site occurs just one mile south of MacArthur Woods Nature Preserve (see above). Like MacArthur Woods, this site is a remnant of the fire-protected forest that occurred along the east side of the Des Plaines River. Natural communities present are mesic upland forest, wet floodplain forest, and northern flatwoods.
Liberty Prairie (Lake County) - This 47-acre site includes very diverse prairie communities of the Des Plaines valley including mesic, wet-mesic, and wet prairie. In addition, other wetland communities present include graminoid fen, sedge meadow, and marsh.
Oak Openings (Lake County) - This site includes a 16-acre preserve area and a 33-acre buffer zone. Habitats present include oak savanna and oak woodland with large, open grown bur and white oaks and the wetland communities sedge meadow and wet prairie. This site occurs near Liberty Prairie Nature Preserve.
Almond Marsh (Lake County) - This llO-acre site occurs adjacent to the Liberty Prairie and Oak Openings nature preserves. Natural communities present include oak woodland, savanna, and a marsh/sedge meadow complex. Almond Marsh Nature Preserve, together with the Liberty Prairie, and Oak Openings preserves forms a large complex totaling about 2,500 acres.
Terrestrial Natural Community Descriptions
The natural communities within the UDPAA (Table 9) were determined by examining data from several sources. These include descriptions of existing community types as well as plant communities inferred to have occurred prior to European settlement and large-scale alteration of the landscape. Since native vegetation in the UDPAA has been so greatly converted, modified, and degraded, some of the following community types may no longer persist. Community classification follows White and Madany
32 (1978). Botanical nomenclature follows Mohlenbrock (1986). Scientific names corresponding to the common names used in this text, as well as habitats of occurrence, are in the summary species list for the UDPAA (Appendix I). Appendix 2 sorts this species list by scientific name.
Table 9. Terrestrial natural communities known to occur or believed to have occurred formerly in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area.
FOREST Swamp Upland forest shrub swamp dry-mesic upland forest mesic upland forest Fen calcareous floating mat Floodplain forest graminoid fen mesic floodplain forest wet-mesic floodplain forest Sedge meadow wet floodplain forest sedge meadow
Flatwoods Seep northern flatwoods seep calcareous seep PRAIRIE Prairie CULTURAL mesic prairie cropland wet-mesic prairie pastureland wet prairie successional field developed land (urban) WETLAND tree plantation Marsh artificial pond marsh artificial lake prairie restoration wetland reconstruction
I Adapted from the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory's natural community classification (White and Madany 1978).
Surprisingly, published descriptions of vegetation in the region are limited in number and focus mostly on areas outside the UDPAA boundary (Sheviak and Haney 1973, Taft and Solecki 1990, Bowles et al. 1996, Young 1986, Wilhelm 1991) or are too general to provide detailed community descriptions (Cowles 1901a, 1901b; Fuller 1935). Plants of the Chicago Region (Swink and Wilhelm 1994), an indispensable botanical resource for the several-county (and state) Chicago region, primarily is an annotated checklist with distribution maps and keys. However, it also contains fairly detailed community descriptions for the many varied habitat types in the region, including many found in the UDPAA. However, because of the greater regional scope, many taxa characteristic of certain habitat types are not typical of habitats in the UDPAA. Specific data sources used for the following accounts include unpublished Illinois Department of Natural Resources (lDNR) Natural Heritage database records on community types found in INAI natural
33 areas, descriptions of vegetation in unpublished technical reports, and, courtesy of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, community descriptions in proposals for nature preserve dedications. Unpublished technical reports that describe vegetation in forests, savannas, prairies, and wetlands within the boundaries of the UDPAA include several written for the Illinois Department of Transportation (Taft 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996). Examples of these community classes (e.g., forest, savanna, prairie, and wetland) also have been described by White (1990a, 1990b). Other technical reports describe baseline data and management effects on vegetation within the UDPAA (Apfelbaum et al. 1986, 1987; Apfelbaum 1993). Nature preserve dedication proposals provide data on species from specific sites (Byers, Illinois Nature Preserves Commission 1972, Planning Advisory Committee, Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area 1990, Anderson 1991, Myers 1980, Myers and Paulson 1980, Packard et al. 1985, Nuzzo 1993, and Keibler and Byers 1995). Individual biologists and others that contributed to site and community descriptions among unpublished materials in !NPC files include John Schwegman, Marlin Bowles, Margaret Cole, Steve Byers, Randy Nyboer, Marty Jones, Chris Anchor, Douglas Wallace, Steven Apfelbaum, Ray Schulenberg, Gerould Wilhelm, Steve Packard, Lydia Myers, and Barbara Turner.
Forest
Forests in the UDPAA belong to the Prairie Peninsula Section in the Northern Division of the Oak-Hickory Forest Region; bordering the east assessment-area boundary is the Great Lake Section of the Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwoods Region (Braun 1950). Due to a level of protection from the presettlement prairie fires, forests in the UDPAA were concentrated primarily on the slopes, ravines, and floodplain associated with the Des Plaines River and locally in other protected areas (Moran 1978). Forest subclasses in Illinois include upland forest, floodplain forest, sand forest, and flatwoods (White and Madany 1978). Except for sand forest, these forest subclasses are found in the UDPAA and the distinct community types within each are characterized below. Of the 18% of the UDPAA remaining as forest (39,653 acres), about 0.87% of the remainder (343 acres) and 0.26% of the original total of about 131,494 acres (including savanna) remains in a state of high ecological integrity (White 1978, Illinois Department of Natural Resources 1997, lllinois Geographic Information System).
Common ecological problems associated with forest communities, in general, include habitat degradation, fragmentation, exotic species invasions, altered hydrology and water-chemistry of surface waters, and fire absence, particularly in upland forests and flatwoods. A typical source of habitat degradation in forests is over grazing, not only by domestic livestock but also by white-tailed deer which have increased substantially in numbers recently (Anderson 1997). This grazing often produces changes in forest compositional and structural characteristics. Like in much of Illinois, grazing-sensitive species probably have been eliminated from many forest remnants in the UDPAA. In contrast, species that increase with grazing (thorn-bearing taxa [e.g., red haw, honey locust, Missouri gooseberry, and Rubus spp.], exotic species [osage orange, multiflora
34 rosa, and garlic mustard], and certain weedy native species) are often abundant in grazed forests. In many cases, abundance of exotic species appears to be directly proportional to the historic grazing intensity. Recovery of these sites following cessation of grazing appears to be slow. In the Chicago region, even sites that have not been degraded by past grazing are infested with numerous exotic species. Some of these are particularly abundant and pernicious and represent great threats to the long-term maintenance of biodiversity in the region. Complete restoration of these degraded sites may not be possible without intensive management including efforts at reintroduction of native species. Finally, fire absence in upland forest communities typically results in compositional changes in more mesic sites and primarily structural changes in drier sites, such as increases in both stem density of woody plants and shade. The result is often a reduction in cover and diversity of the herbaceous ground flora, typically the most diverse stratum in Illinois woodlands (Taft et al. 1995).
Upland-Forest
The total extent of upland forest in the UDPAA is estimated to be about 36,074 acres (Table 2), or about 16.3 % of the total UDPAA (Illinois Geographic Information System). Upland forest communities can be classified further by soil moisture characteristics. Xeric, dry, dry-mesic, mesic, and wet-mesic upland forest communities are recognized in Illinois in context with increasing available soil moisture (White and Madany 1978). Major tree species respond in predictable ways along these soil-moisture gradients (Adams and Anderson 198q, Fralish 1994, Taft et al. 1995). The following community types occur in the UDPAA. " Dry-mesic upland forest - Dry-mesic upland forest occurs in the UDPAA on the upper slopes and ridges of the dissected terrain bordering the Des Plaines River and major tributaries. The total extent in the UDPAA is unknown. A total of III acres of dry-mesic upland forest among five sites in the UDPAA are recognized as high quality and statewide significant by the INAI (Table 5). Bordering the UDPAA boundary with some acreage of high-quality dry-mesic upland forest possibly occurring in the assessment area, is Busse Woods where an additional total of 99 acres of high-quality occurs; these acres are not included in the total shown in Table 5. The Ill-acre total is about 8.4% of the total undegraded dry-mesic upland forest (Grades A & B) remaining in lllinois (Table 5). Adding the 99 acres at Busse Woods to the assessment area total represents 16% of the statewide total.
Some of the dominant Canopy species are white oak, black oak, red oak, shagbark hickory, and white ash where forest composition has not been altered by logging or a long history of intensive grazing. Occasional tree species include hackberry, black walnut, slippery elm, black cherry, bur oak, Hill's oak, and bitternut hickory. Common subcanopy species include sugar maple, hop hornbeam, choke cherry, black cherry, slippery elm, and hawthorn (e.g., Crataegus pruinosa). Typical shrubs include gray dogwood, hazelnut, wild plum, prickly gooseberry, Missouri gooseberry, black raspberry,
35 common blackberry, black haw, nannyberry, downy arrowwood, and prickly ash. Woody vines include poison ivy, Virginia creeper, grape honeysuckle, and riverbank grape. Herbaceous ground-cover species include the following: woodland agrimony, wood anemone, everlasting, spreading dogbane, Drummond's aster, brome grass, rattlesnake fern, sedges (e.g., Carex cephalophora, C. pensylvanica, and C. rosea), toothwort, Dutchman's breeches, wild yam, shooting star, spring beauty, poverty oat grass, bottlebrush grass, slender wild rye, wild geranium, stickseed, woodland sunflower, false rue anemone, yellow pimpernel, Solomon's seal, false Solomon's seal, elm-leaved goldenrod, and red trillium.
One species listed by the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board (IESPB), the northern cranesbill, is known from one dry-mesic forest in the UDPAA (Table 8). This species is known to increase following ground fire (Herkert 1991). The major ecological problems associated with dry-mesic upland forests in the UDPAA are degradation from grazing (past grazing by domestic stock, present grazing by large deer herds), habitat fragmentation, fire absence, and invasion by non-native species. Though White and Madany (1978) did not recognize woodland as a separate subclass of forest, dry-mesic upland forests in the UDPAA could be classified as dry-mesic woodland to emphasize the structurally intermediate form between forest and savanna that presumably was characteristic of these sites prior to the alteration of the regional fire regime during post settlement eras. Fire absence can also lead towards an increased frequency of sugar maple in the subcanopy stratum and potentially lesser frequency of oaks in the canopy. Where oaks have been removed by selective logging practices, black cherry, shagbark hickory, slippery elm, and possibly sugar maple are among the species that can gain prominence in the canopy. Non-native species in dry-mesic upland forest include garlic mustard, Canada bluegrass, multiflora rose, Japanese barberry, burning bush, various bush honeysuckles, common buckthorn, and European high-bush cranberry. The latter three taxa (group of taxa including the bush honeysuckles) are among the most pernicious species and form one of the most challenging exotic species problems in Illinois and North America.
Mesic uplandforest - Mesic upland forest is probably the most prevalent upland forest type in the UDPAA, although no data are available on the total extent. Mesic upland forests are found on lower slopes, in ravines, on high terraces of the major streams and tributaries, and occasionally as isolated remnants of former larger blocks of forest. A total of 115 acres of this community type, among three sites in the UDPAA, is recognized by the INAI as high quality and of statewide ecological significance (Table 5). This is about 0.32% of the remaining forest cover in the UDPAA, and 4.5% of the total undegraded mesic upland forest remaining in Illinois (White 1978, Illinois Department of Natural Resources 1997). Similar to the situation with dry-mesic upland forest, one site (Busse Woods) occurs partially in and out of the UDPAA and contains additional area (89 acres) of undegraded mesic upland forest. If this total is added to the amount completely within the assessment area, the new total is 204 acres, about 0.57% of the remaining upland forest in the UDPAA and about 8% of the statewide total.
36 Species composition is relatively rich including numerous taxa at each forest stratum. Sometimes no species are dominant. Characteristic canopy tree species include bur oak, white oak, red oak, white ash, sugar maple, shagbark hickory, and basswood. Occasional tree species include black maple, bitternut hickory, hackberry, black walnut, black oak, black ash, and American elm. Subcanopy species include Ohio buckeye, hawthorns (e.g., Crataegus crus-galli, C. mollis, and C. pruinosa), blue beech, hop hornbeam, black cherry, witch hazel, slippery elm, and box elder. Numerous native shrub species are present including gray dogwood, alternate-leaved dogwood, hazelnut, wahoo, running strawberry bush, wild plum, choke cherry, prickly gooseberry, Missouri gooseberry, black raspberry, common blackberry, elderberry, bladdernut, maple-leaved arrowwood, nannyberry, black haw, downy arrowwood, high-bush cranberry, and prickly ash. Woody vines include Virginia creeper, bristly catbrier, poison ivy, and riverbank grape. Herbaceous ground-cover composition includes a rich assortment of species, particularly spring ephemerals. Selected taxa reported from the UDPAA include doll's eyes, wild leek, wood anemone, columbine, Jack-in-the-pulpit, wild ginger, lady fern, several sedges (Carex aggregata, C. blanda, C. albursina, C. gracilLima, C. hirtifolia, C. jamesii, C. laxiflora, C. pensylvanica, C. rosea, and C. sprengelii), blue cohosh, spring beauty, Dutchman's breeches, toothwort, white trout lily, white snakeroot, false mermaid, wild geranium, liverleaf, waterleaf, Virginia waterleaf, false rue anemone, blue bells, sweet Cicely, anise-root, common phlox, mayapple, Solomon's seal, Christmas fern, Jacob's ladder, bloodroot, common snakeroot, common carrion flower, false Solomon's seal, large white trillium, red trillium, yellow bellwort, downy-yellow violet, and common blue violet.
Species of mesic upland forests reported from the assessment area that are listed as threatened or endangered by the IESPB include northern grape fern, pretty sedge (Carex woodii), pale vetchling, millet grass, black-seeded rice grass, downy Solomon's seal, dwarf raspberry, American dog violet, and hairy white violet. Data on status, habitat, and distribution for these taxa are included in Table 8. The major ecological problems associated with mesic upland forests are degradation from grazing, habitat fragmentation including residential developments, and exotic species invasion. Among the more abundant exotic species within mesic upland forest are the shrubs multiflora rose, Japanese barberry, burning bush, common buckthorn, European high-bush cranberry, the bush honeysuckles (especially Lonicera maackii), and the herb garlic mustard. The latter four taxa are extremely pernicious ecologically and pose among the most severe threats to community integrity in the assessment area and Illinois. Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is an exotic herbaceous species that occurs in the region and appears to fit the model of a potentially serious invasive pest in mesic upland and floodplain forest systems. This attractive and fragrant plant easily escapes from cultivation.
Wet-mesic uplandforest - This community type is not specifically mentioned among vegetation descriptions for the assessment area. However, localized examples are present in the region (ex. Thorn Creek Woods in Will County [Solecki and Taft 1986]) and there may be small stands within the UDPAA. No data are available on the total extent and no high-quality remnants have been identified within the UDPAA. Typically, wet-mesic
37 upland forest occurs where there are localized drainage limitations within an upland forest. Often, drainage is limited by a slowly permeable subsoil horizon. Areas of seepage may contribute to locally saturated soils and can support this natural community. Where depressions occur in an upland forest, ponding may occur for variable periods. Characteristic canopy species include swamp white oak, shagbark hickory, and white ash. A subcanopy often is absent. Ground-cover species may include a few wetland sedges and ferns.
Floodplain Forest
Floodplain forests are characterized by edaphic conditions of poor drainage and slow permeability. Local areas of sand and gravel increase permeability. Floodplain forest communities in Illinois include mesic, wet-mesic, and wet floodplain forest and are classified according to characteristics of flooding. Wet floodplain forests occur in the floodplain bordering rivers and, for this report, includes the river bank. Wet-mesic to mesic floodplain forests occur on low and high terraces, respectively. The total extent of floodplain forest in the UDPAA is estimated to be about 3,579 acres, or about 1.6% of the total area (Illinois Geographic Information System). In general, the flooding regime, including depth and duration of flooding, is a strong selective force on composition and species richness in floodplain forests (Bell 1974) and also in regulating tree growth (Robertson 1992). Wet floodplain forests are often seasonally flooded and/or have perched water during a portion of the year, often in late winter and spring. Generally, flooding is of shorter duration and less frequency in mesic floodplain forests. Wet-mesic floodplain forests are intermediate. Diversity of species composition tends to increase from wet to mesic floodplain forest. Compositional changes favoring more flood-tolerant tree species like silver maple appear to have occurred since presettlement conditions along some Illinois streams (e.g., King and Johnson 1977, Nelson et al. 1994) and may have occurred in floodplain forests within the UDPAA.
Ecological problems in floodplain forest involve siltation from silt-laden flood waters, changes in the hydrological regime (e.g., stream entrenchment or increased flooding duration and frequency due to changes in the upper watershed), fragmentation, grazing, and exotic species invasion. A description of the composition of floodplain forest for the UDPAA follows.
Mesic floodplain forest - There is no estimate of the proportion of the approximately 3,579 acres of floodplain forest within the UDPAA that is mesic floodplain forest. A total of 63 acres among two sites within the UDPAA have been identified as high-quality, undegraded natural communities (Table 5). Compared with other floodplain forest communities, a relatively greater importance of upland tree species often can be found in this high terrace community since the relatively brief flooding duration and lower flooding frequency pose fewer limitations to these species. Common to occasional canopy tree species include sugar maple, shagbark hickory, hackberry, white ash, green ash, black ash, black walnut, bur oak, white oak, swamp white oak, red oak, and American elm. Subcanopy species include Ohio buckeye, hawthorns (e.g., Crataegus
38 crus-galli, C. mollis, C. pruinosa, C. punctata, C. succulenta), and slippery elm. Shrubs include gray dogwood, American black currant, Missouri gooseberry, bristly gooseberry, black raspberry, common blackberry, elderberry, and bladdernut. Woody vines include Virginia creeper, poison ivy, bristly catbrier, and riverbank grape. Ground-cover species include many taxa also found in mesic upland forests: maidenhair fern, green dragon, Jack-in-the-pulpit, wild ginger, false nettle, sedges (Carex amphibola, C. blanda, C. normalis, C. sparganioides, C. tenera), spring beauty, honewort, bottIebrush grass, slender wild rye, Virginia wild rye, white snakeroot, white avens, spotted touch-me-not, wild lily, blue bells, common phlox, mayapple, common snakeroot, Solomon's seal, bloodroot, black snakeroot, false Solomon's seal, and downy-blue violet.
Wet-mesic floodplain forest - There is no estimate of the proportion of the approximately 3,579 acres of floodplain forest within the UDPAA that is wet-mesic floodplain forest. No undegraded remnants of wet-mesic floodplain forest have been identified in the UDPAA. The composition of this community type can be relatively rich because it , includes some species from mesic uplands as well as species from wet floodplain forest.
Common to occasional canopy species include silver maple, red maple, bitternut hickory, hackberry, green ash, sycamore, cottonwood, swamp white oak, bur oak, slippery elm, and American elm. Subcanopy species include box elder, red haw, black cherry, black willow, and slippery elm. Shrubs and Vines include ninebark, black raspberry, elderberry, bladdernut, bristly catbrier, poison ivy, and riverbank grape. Ground-cover species include giant ragweed, autumn bent grass, false nettle, green dragon, Ontario aster, panicled aster, purple cress, tall bellflower, several sedges (Carex blanda, C. conjuncta, C. grisea, C. davisii, C. grayi, C. granularis, C. hirtifolia, and C. sparganioides), wild chervil, stout wood reed, enchanter's nightshade, honewort, Aunt Lucy, Virginia wild rye, annual bedstraw, white avens, fowl manna grass, white grass, blue lobelia, Virginia waterleaf, wood nettle, moonseed, blue bells, common phlox, clearweed, small-flowered crowfoot, goldenglo~, black snakeroot, common snakeroot, and common blue violet.
No threatened or endangered plant species currently are known from wet-mesic floodplain forests in the UDPAA. Ecological problems include changes in the watershed that alter the flooding regime, severe grazing, and exotic species introductions. Exotic species can be numerous and abundant and include garlic mustard, common burdock, helleborine, creeping Charlie, yellow iris, Amur honeysuckle, Tartarian honeysuckle, motherwort, moneywort, white mulberry, self-heal, common buckthorn, glossy buckthorn, multiflora rose, bittersweet nightshade, and European high-bush cranberry. The lesser celandine (Ranunculusficaria) is an exotic species that recently has begun to spread in floodplain habitats in the Chicago region (Swink and Wilhelm 1994) and could become locally abundant, particularly where soil is bare.
Wet floodplain forest - There is no estimate of the proportion of the floodplain forest within the UDPAA that is wet floodplain forest. No areas have been identified from within the UDPAA as high-quality, undegraded remnants. Compared with other
39 floodplain forest communities, fewer tree species can be found in examples of this natural community since flooding frequency and duration, typically, are limiting for many species. Common to occasional canopy species include silver maple, green ash, sycamore, and cottonwood. Subcanopy species include box elder and black willow. Shrubs and vines include buttonbush, elderberry, sandbar willow, peach-leaved willow, bristly catbrier, poison ivy, and riverbank grape. Ground-cover species include giant ragweed, panicled aster, side-flowered aster, false nettle, enchanter's nightshade, honewort, Aunt Lucy, Virginia wild rye, annual bedstraw, white avens, spotted touch-me not, wood nettle, blue bells, clearweed, goldenglow, and common blue violet.
No threatened or endangered plant species are known from wet floodplain forest within the UDPAA. Ecological problems include changes in the watershed that alter the flooding regime, severe grazing, and exotic species introductions. Exotic species are similar to wet-mesic floodplain forest.
Flatwoods
Flatwoods are open woodlands of level uplands and terraces that occur on impervious subsoil horizons (claypans) and have seasonally wet and dry soils (White and Madany 1978, Taft et al. 1995). Microdepressions often retain water during wet periods and wetland species can be locally common. Local patterns in available water-holding capacity, including depth to the claypan, and cation content of the soil are important variables explaining tree species composition, diversity, and density in southern flatwoods (Taft et al. 1995). In Illinois, three different flatwoods community types are distinguished based on bioregional and edaphic factors. These include southern flatwoods, sandflatwoods, and, northemflatwoods, the latter is a community type found in the UDPAA. Maintenance of ground-cover species diversity in all flatwoods communities appears to be dependent on periodic fire.
Northernflatwoods - Northern flatwoods in Illinois are found on poorly drained sites within the Valparaiso morainic system (White and Madany 1978), largely within the UDPAA. There is no estimate currently available for the total amount of presettlement northern flatwoods in Illinois or the UDPAA. A total of 54 acres of high-quality northern flatwoods (about 63% of statewide total) have been identified at a single site within the assessment area (Table 5). When including Busse Woods within the assessment area (preserve lies on the boundary), an additional 31 acres of high-quality flatwoods are present; this addition would total about 85 acres for the UDPAA, which is essentially all of the undegraded northern flatwoods known from Illinois. There probably are many remnants in the assessment area with strong restoration potential (see "Summary and Recommendations" section). Few comprehensive data currently are available on the structure, composition, and diversity patterns in northern flatwoods. However, general trends may be similar to southern flatwoods (Taft et al. 1995) where the ground-cover stratum by far supports the greatest species diversity and long periods of fire absence appears to lead to significant reduction in overall plant species diversity. The composition is described briefly below.
40 i------,
Common canopy species include swamp white oak, white oak, and Hill's oak; occasional species include green ash, black ash, red maple, silver maple, American elm, red oak, and bur oak. Subcanopy species include box elder, big-tooth aspen, and trembling aspen. Shrubs include winterberry, common dewberry, and Iowa crabapple. Vines include Virginia creeper and poison ivy. Ground-cover species include a remarkable diversity of sedges (Carex species) including Carex alopecoidea, C. amphibola, C. annectans, C. blanda, C. caroliniana, C. conjuncta, C. cristatella, C. crus-corvii, C. gracillima, C. granularis, C. grayi, C. hirtifolia, C. jamesii, C. lupuliformis, C. lupulina, C. muskingumensis, C. oligocarpa, C. retroflexa, C. rosea, C. sparganioides, C. squarrosa, C. tenera, C. tribuloides, and C. tuckermanii, a species listed as endangered by the IESPB (Herkert 1991). Other ground-cover species include tall agrimony, autumn bent grass, green dragon, American spikenard, stout wood reed, common water plaintain (ponds), swamp milkweed, Virginia rye, fowl manna grass, white avens, Virginia waterleaf, spotted touch-me-not, white grass, white snakeroot, sensitive fern, blue flag (ponds), false Solomon's seal, red trillium, spinulose woodfern, rattlesnake plantain (rare), and swamp buttercup. Species listed by the IESPB as threatened and endangered (Herkert 1991) that have been reported from northern flatwoods include Tuckerman's sedge, purple fringed orchid, dwarf raspberry, American dog violet, and hairy white violet (Table 8).
Ecological problems associated with northern flatwoods include fire absence, habitat degradation from grazing and other disturbances, and exotic species invasion. Exotic species include common and glossy buckthorn, Tartarian honeysuckle, and garlic mustard. Altered hydrology due to urbanization and surface-water pollution by de-icing salts are suspected compounding sources of habitat degradation and altered species composition (Johnson, no date).
Prairie
Four prairie subclasses are recognized in Illinois: Prairie (tall-grass prairie on silt-loam soils), Sand Prairie, Hill Prairie (including loess and glacial drift hill prairie), and Shrub Prairie (White and Madany 1978). Considering the distribution of prairie and forest in Illinois at the time of European settlement (about 1820), about 40% of the UDPAA was tall-grass prairie (Anderson 1970; Illinois Geographic Information System). Among the subclasses, only Prairie and possibly Shrub Prairie are/were present in the assessment area. The Prairie subclass, like upland forest communities, is further ' distinguished by soil-moisture regime (dry, dry-mesic, mesic, wet-mesic, and wet). Shrub Prairie is prairie dominated by shrubs and is represented today primarily by mesic-to-wet-mesic sandy sites, particularly in the Kankakee Sand Area and the southern portion of the Chicago Lake Plain (White and Madany 1978). Such soils do not appear to occur within the UDPAA. Another shrub prairie type, though no undegraded remnants currently are known, is the silt-loam prairie with strong dominance of Hazel and wild plum. This community type has also been referred to as barrens (Bowles and McBride 1994).
Common ecological problems associated with tall-grass prairie, in general, include fragmentation, exotic species invasions, fire absence, and habitat degradation. Small,
41 isolated fragments tend to support many species at low population levels (thus prone to local extinction) too remote to be enhanced through natural mechanisms of species dispersal. Small, isolated prairie remnants also may be lacking appropriate pollinator species for successful sexual reproduction of many outcrossing species. The greater edge-to-volume ratios of small sites offer greater opportunities for exotic species invasions since the matrix areas typically are dominated by non-native vegetation. Highly fragmented and developed landscapes also lead to altered fire regimes often eliminating fire from prairie remnants until restoration efforts commence. Fire absence results in ecological changes, such as encroachment of woody plants, that can eliminate many shade-intolerant prairie species. Fire absence also can lead to a severe invasion of exotic cool-season grasses like the ubiquitous species meadow fescue, smooth brome, and Kentucky bluegrass. Exotic species and woody encroachment pose some of the most severe threats to the integrity of existing high-quality prairie remnants in the UDPAA. Over-grazing by domestic stock and deer can degrade prairie remnants by eliminating many species and promoting the increase of several weedy native and non-native taxa. Soil disturbances, such as past efforts at cultivation, grazing by hooved mammals or soil scraping (typical of many railroad right-of-ways), result in loss of species and opportunities for the establishment of weedy taxa. All of these combinations of factors, tend to result in loss of species diversity and ecological integrity for all prairie community types.
Prairie
Although approximately 40% (89,506 acres) of the UDPAA was tall-grass prairie, only about 18 acres (0.02% of original extent) among three soil-moisture classes (wet, wet mesic, and mesic) at three sites remain in a high-quality, undegraded, condition (Table 5). In addition, there are noteworthy remnants of tall-grass prairie in railroad rights-of-way within the UDPAA that persist in a degraded condition. An unknown quantity remains which with proper management may be restored to a high-quality condition. Many important prairie species respond in predictable ways along soil-moisture gradients. However, where gradients are not interrupted, species respond individually to soil moisture differences and the separate community types can merge gradually and imperceptibly form complexes of associations. The characteristic species of each soil moisture class for tall-grass prairie are described below.
Dry-mesic prairie - No areas of high-quality dry-mesic prairie are known from the UDPAA. Ifpresent historically, they probably occurred on crests and upper slopes of the major moraines on well-drained and somewhat permeable soils with moderate water holding capacity. Degraded remnants with potential for rehabilitation may be present in the UDPAA. The following description is general for dry-mesic prairie in Illinois; some taxa (e.g., June grass) have not been verified from prairie within the UDPAA but probably are present.
Common grass species include side oats gramma, panic grass, June grass, little blue stem, Indian grass, prairie dropseed, and porcupine grass. Common to occasional sedge
42 species include Carex bicknellii, C. meadii, and C. tetanica. Characteristic forbs include green milkweed, sky-blue aster, heath aster, false boneset, bastard toadflax, purple prairie clover, sessile-leaved tick trefoil, pale purple coneflower, flowering spurge, rough blazing star, hoary puccoon, wild bergamont, black eyed Susan, wild petunia, rosinweed, showy goldenrod, and yellow pimpernel. Shrubs include leadplant, New Jersey tea, smooth sumac, pasture rose, and prairie willow.
Typical ecological problems in remnants include fire absence (and consequential woody plant encroachment), habitat degradation from soil disturbances, and exotic species invasion and establishment. Common exotic species include white sweet clover, yellow sweet clover, parsnip, Canada blue grass, and Kentucky bluegrass.
Mesic prairie - Mesic prairie occurs in an intennediate soil-moisture zone on the landscape between dry-mesic prairie and wet-mesic prairie. Soils can be moderately well- drained but often are saturated during short periods of the growing season. A total of about 11 acres of high-quality mesic tall grass prairie remains in the UDPAA representing about 4% of the total high-quality mesic prairie remaining in Illinois (Table 5). Undegraded mesic tall-grass prairie is among the most species-dense plant communities in North America. Typical remnants contain from 15 to 30 species in a half meter-square sampling quadrat. About 100 to 130 taxa of vascular plants can be found in individual, small (5-acre) remnants.
Common grass species include big blue stem, Scribner's panic grass, Canada wild rye, prairie switch grass, little blue stem, Indian grass, praire dropseed, and porcupine grass. Common to occasional sedge species include Carex bicknellii, C. meadii, and C. tetanica. Characteristic forbs include a diverse assemblage of species (nodding onion, candle anemone, little pussy toes, prairie milkweed, butterfly weed, heath aster, New England aster, smooth blue aster, white wild indigo, cream wild indigo, wild hyacinth, tall coreopsis, white prairie clover, purple prairie clover, showy tick trefoil, shooting star, pale purple coneflower, flowering spurge, rattlesnake master, downy gentian, prairie sunflower, downy sunflower, prairie alurnroot, bush clover, praire blazing star, rough blazing star, prairie lily, hoary puccoon, spike lobelia, lance-leaved loosestrife, wild bergamot, feverfew, lousewort, prairie sundrops, prairie phlox, prairie cinquefoil, slender mountain mint, drooping coneflower, black-eyed Susan, rosinweed, compass plant, prairie dock, blue-eyed grass, showy goldenrod, Missouri goldenrod, Ohio spiderwort, common ironweed, Culver's root, prairie violet, and golden Alexanders). Common shrubs include leadplant, New Jersey tea, hazelnut, pasture rose, and prairie willow.
At least two species listed as threatened or endangered by the IESPB (Herkert 1991) are known to occur in mesic prairie in or very near the UDPAA (Table 8). These are small sundrops (apparently about 200 ft. outside the UDPAA) and mountain blue-eyed grass. Data on status and distribution of these taxa are included in Table 8. There is an unaccounted and unverified report of the ear-leaved fox glove from the assessment area and this diminutive species certainly could be present in mesic prairie habitat. Typical ecological problems in remnants include fire absence (and consequential woody plant
43 encroachment), soil disturbances, and exotic species invasion and establishment. Common exotic species in mesic tall-grass prairies include the following taxa: common yarrow, asparagus, awnless brome grass, Queen Anne's lace, orange day lily, amur honeysuckle, white sweet clover, yellow sweet clover, parsnip, Canada bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, white poplar, common lilac, common periwinkle, and yucca. Despite a history of fire management even high-quality prairie remnants often have a strong presence of the exotic, cool-season grasses Kentucky and Canada bluegrass. Control methods are summarized in the "Summary and Recommendations" section. Evidence of leaf burn and mortality of plants at the edges of prairies bordering cropland in central Illinois suggests that herbicide drift can be a problem, at least to edge species, and may be an unrealized confounding factor throughout prairie remnants where they occur adjacent to cropland. Off-road vehicle use of railroad right-of-ways, and other trespass, is becoming an increasingly damaging problem for these prairie remnants.
Wet-mesic prairie - This prairie community occurs in an intermediate zone between mesic prairie and wet prairie on somewhat poorly drained sites. Innundation periods are more brief than in wet prairie. A total of 2.6 acres of high-quality wet-mesic prairie are known from two sites in the UDPAA representing about 2% of the undegraded wet-mesic prairie in Illinois (Table 5). Wet-mesic prairie and the following community type, wet prairie, often merge with sedge meadow, marsh, and (occasionally) graminoid fen or seep communities forming diverse wetland/prairie complexes.
Common grass species include big blue stem, blue-joint grass, sweet grass, and prairie cord grass. Common to occasional sedges include Carex buxbaumii, C. cristatella, C. gravida, C. granularis, C. lanuginosa. C. stipata. C. stricta. and C. vulpinoidea. Characteristic forbs include hog peanut, prairie milkweed, meadow anemone, New England aster, white wild indigo, shooting star, northern bedstraw, common golden-star grass, prairie sundrops, meadow parsnip, grass-leaf goldenrod, closed gentian. sawtooth sunflower, rough avens, sneezeweed, winged loosestrife, smooth phlox. false dragonhead, common mountain mint, prairie dock, small false Solomon's seal, Riddell's goldenrod, purple meadow rue, Ohio spiderwort, hairy wood nettle, and wood sage. Shrubs are uncommon but may include petioled willow, blue-leaf willow, and pussy willow.
Species of wet-mesic prairie in the UDPAA that are listed by the IESPB (Herkert 1991, 1994) as threatened or endangered include two orchids, white lady's slipper and prairie fringed orchid, and queen of the prairie (Table 8). Prairie-fringed orchid also is listed as threatened by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. White lady's slipper orchid is known from a single locality; prairie-fringed orchid has been reported recently from three sites in the UDPAA. However, at one of these sites this species occurs at low population levels and in some recent years has not been seen (Illinois Department of Natural Resources 1997). The biology of the two orchids has been described by Bowles (1983). Populations levels of the prairie white-fringed orchid appear to coincide directly with regional rainfall (Bowles et al. 1992). Queen-of-the-prairie occurs as a large colony at a restored prairie in the UDPAA where it may have been introduced about 30years ago (Harms, pers. com.).
44 Ecological problems in wet-mesic prairie are associated primarily with enhanced drainage from tile. Fire absence can result in woody plant encroachment. Exotic species include Kentucky bluegrass, purple loosestrife, reed canary grass, and bittersweet nightshade.
Wet prairie - Wet prairies occurr on poorly drained and slowly permeable soils. Only two undegraded remnants of wet prairie remain in the UDPAA totaling about 4.3 acres of high-quality wet prairie (Table 5). This total represents about 2.4% of the undegraded wet prairie remaining in the state.
The characteristic grass species for the community type is prairie cord grass; other grasses include blue-joint grass and sweet grass (occasional). Sedges are often common, including Carex atherodes, C. cristatella, C. granularis, C. lacustris, C. lanuginosa, and C. stipata. Common forbs include New England aster, swamp milkweed, tall swamp marigold, marsh marigold (near seeps), spotted Joe-Pye weed, common boneset, stiff bedstraw, sawtooth sunflower, smooth phlox, common mountain mint, blue flag, marsh vetchling, common water horehound, monkey flower, water smartweed, blue skullcap, late goldenrod, hairy hedge nettle, wood sage, waxy meadow rue, and blue vervain. Shrubs include meadow rose, meadow sweet, and blue-leaf willow.
No threatened and endangered species are known from wet prairie within the UDPAA boundary, although prairie white-fringed orchid occurs at one site that combines characteristics of wet and wet-mesic prairie. Within a mile of the boundary is a population ofAmerican slough grass (endangered) in wet prairie. Ecological problems include altered hydrology due to urbanization affecting the soil moisture and flooding regime. Exotic species include reed canary grass, a species that can become dominant when flooding duration and siltation increases.
Savanna
Savanna habitats occurred throughout many parts of North America. The Midwest, intermediately located between the eastern forests and grasslands of the great plains, has the environmental conditions and fire history that supported many savanna habitat types (Anderson 1983, Taft 1997). Savannas are characterized by scattered, open-grown trees, with or without shrubs, and a continuous herbaceous ground cover typically dominated by graminoid species (grasses and sedges) and numerous forbs. Density and percent cover of trees varies and is intermediate between open prairie and closed woodland or forest. In the dissected terrain of major streams, like the Des Plaines River, savannas often occurred associated with a mixture of vegetation types including prairie, woodland, forest, and wetland communities. Midwestern savanna-like habitats have several unifying characteristics including: 1) open-canopied structure (relative to closed forest); 2) canopy dominance by a few species of oaks; 3) a ground cover usually rich in species associated with tallgrass prairie; 4) a majority of floristic diversity contained in the ground-cover; and 5) dependence on fire and other disturbances for maintenance of
45 diversity and stability (Taft 1997). Oak-dominated systems particularly appear dependent on periodic fire for persistence (Lorimer 1985; Abrams 1992). In a period of a few decades of fire absence, savannas in the Midwest were altered through vegetational changes and habitat destruction. There was a rapid conversion of open savanna to closed woodland and forest. The once widespread oak savannas have become among the rarest plant communities (Curtis 1959, White 1978, Nelson 1985, Nuzzo 1986). Presently in the Midwest former savanna and open-woodland areas can still be recognized locally by the scattered occurrence of large, open-grown oaks now within closed woodland. Some small remnants persist where woody encroachment has been retarded (though not stopped) by droughty edaphic conditions. In addition, many savannalike areas have been structurally maintained by livestock grazing. Typically, the ground cover at pastured sites is floristically degraded and dominated by non-native species.
Three savanna subclasses are recognized in Illinois: savanna (generally on fine-textured soils), sand savanna, and barrens (local inclusions of a prairie flora within an otherwise forested landscape) (White and Madany 1978). Savanna subclasses are further distinguished to community type by soil-moisture characteristics. Based on inferred edaphic characteristics in the UDPAA prior to settlement, the following savanna community types probably were present: dry-mesic savanna, mesic savanna, wet-mesic savanna, and wet savanna. These communities sometimes merge gradually with other community types (e.g., dry-mesic upland forest, mesic prairie, sedge meadow).
Compared with other habitat types, relatively few threatened and endangered plant species appear to be dependent on savanna habitats. Floristically, savannas contain species of both prairie and open woodlands, although many taxa appear to reach their greatest frequency in transitional (ecotonal) areas such as savannas.
Fire absence, fragmentation, habitat degradation (in particular, heavy grazing), and exotic species are primary ecological problems associated with savanna habitats. Areas of savanna and former savanna occur in the UDPAA where restoration activities are underway. Restoration activities include brush cutting, prescribed fire, and exotic species control and much of the effort is volunteer based. Though no savanna remnants are recognized as Category I natural areas by the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory for the UDPAA, some degraded remnants have strong restoration potential; others may only be capable of some level of rehabilitation while many species remain missing. The following community descriptions are generalized depictions of the (former) undegraded condition.
Dry-mesic savanna - No remnants of this community type are known to exist in an undegraded condition in the UDPAA. However, savanna/open woodland probably occurred locally in the assessment area on well-drained upland sites exposed to periodic fire. In the absence of fire, these areas rapidly developed into closed woodlands.
In dry-mesic savanna dominant tree species include white oak, black oak, and bur oak. Occasional species include white ash and shagbark hickory. Subcanopy stratum
46 characteristics are dependent on the recent fire history and may include many of the previous species in stages of recruitment together with big-tooth and trembling aspen. Shrubs include leadplant, New Jersey tea, gray dogwood, hazelnut, and pasture rose. Ground-cover species include a rich assortment of graminoid and forb species from prairie, savanna, and open woodland habitats. Important graminoid species (grasses and sedges) include: big blue stem, little blue stem, Indian grass, poverty oat grass, hairy panic grass, bottlebrush grass, porcupine grass, and the sedges Carex pensylvanica, C. aggregata, C. cephalophora, and C. pensylvanica. Characteristic forb species include hog peanut, little pussy toes, Drummond's aster, wild hyacinth, pointed tick trefoil, shooting star, woodland sunflower, yellow star grass, feverfew, forked chickweed, starry false Solomon's seal, yellow pimpernel, Ohio spiderwort, Venus's looking glass, and Culver's root.
Ecological problems of any remnants would probably include fire absence and a great deal of woody encroachment resulting in loss of ground-cover species diversity and cover. Grazing damage may be persistent and exotic species may be abundant. Typical exotics include common burdock, orchard grass, smooth brome, Queen Anne's lace, meadow fescue, Canada bluegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass. No threatened or endangered species currently are known from dry-mesic savanna habitats in the UDPAA.
Mesic savanna - Mesic savannas typically were associated with prairie groves on level to slightly rolling terrain. Mesic savannas also may have occurred associated with riparian corridors. Mesic savannas are particularly dependent on recurrent fire for maintenance. Without periodic fire, the soil-moisture conditions allow rapid development of woody vegetation cover. Consequentially, due to several factors (e.g., fire absence, habitat loss, and over-grazing) undegraded remnants, although formerly widespread, are among the rarest plant communities in the Midwest and none are known from the UDPAA. A few degraded savannas remain in the assessment area that have strong restoration potential (e.g., Wadsworth Savanna, Oak Openings).
Similar to the previous community type, the compositional characteristics for mesic savannas in the UDPAA are incompletely known, particularly concerning the species rich ground-cover stratum. The most characteristic tree species of mesic savannas is bur oak. White oak and shagbark hickory may be common to occasional at some sites. Shrubs are similar to dry-mesic savanna. Ground-cover species may include a greater frequency of mesic prairie species. Big blue stem and Indian grass are abundant. Many of the ground-cover species from dry-mesic savanna were also present in mesic savannas. Other species include spreading dogbane, purple milkweed, prairie milkweed, yellow false fox-glove, flowering spurge, wild geranium, false dandelion, rough blazing star, prairie phlox, starry catchfly, Ohio spiderwort, and early horse gentian.
One species listed by the IESPB as threatened in Illinois, pale vetchling, occurs in three, and possibly more, somewhat degraded mesic savanna remnants in the assessment area (Table 8). Ecological problems associated with mesic savannas are similar to dry-mesic savannas.
47 Wet-mesic and wet savanna - Some stream valleys in Illinois appear to have contained savanna-like communities prior to European settlement and altered fire and flooding history (e.g., Zawacki and Hausfater 1969, Thomas and Anderson 1990, Nelson et a1. 1994). A presettlement vegetation map of Lake County indicates several areas where savanna bordered the Des Plaines River, particularly in the upper stream section (Moran 1978). These savanna communities may have included wet-mesic to wet savanna community types, although little evidence remains since these systems, like mesic savannas, would have developed rapidly into floodplain forests without periodic fire. No noteworthy remnants are known from the UDPAA.
Species composition in wet to wet-mesic savannas in the UDPAA may have included bur oak, white oak, swamp white oak, American elm, sycamore, and cottonwood. Ocassional species may have included chinquapin oak and black walnut. This community was probably influenced not only by fire but also flooding. Fire-sensitive sycamore would have been most abundant closest to the river and protected in the wettest portions of the floodplain while white oak likely would be restricted to terraces with better soil-drainage properties compared with the floodplain. Subcanopy and shrub strata were probably highly variable depending on recent fire and flooding history; species may have included box elder, elderberry, and pale dogwood. Characteristic ground-cover species may have included autumn bent grass, several sedges (Carex amphibola, Carex grayi, and Carex sparganioides), stout wood reed, sawtooth sunflower, Jerusalem artichoke, goldenglow, glade mallow, and prairie cord grass.
Wetland
There are about 12,140 acres of wetland within the UDPAA, or about 5.5% of the total area (Table 3, Figure 8). Wetland community types in the UDPAA, following natural community classification of White and Madany (1978), include floodplain forests (about 24.5% of total), marsh (51%), shrub swamp (5%), and open-water wetland (about 19.5%) including ponds and lakes (Table 3). Also present are fens, sedge meadows, and seeps. Wetlands in the UDPAA are concentrated along the Des Plaines River and also scattered throughout the western portion of the assessment area west of the river in Lake County (Figures 6, 8). About 149 acres of wetland (1.2% of wetland total) are recognized as high quality and undegraded natural communities, mostly mesic floodplain forest, sedge meadow, calcareous floating mat, and marsh (Table 5). Floodplain forests were described previously under the Forest community class. Typical ecological problems for wetlands include altered hydrology resulting in increased or reduced flooding, increased siltation from cultivated uplands, run-off of roadway de-icing salts, grazing, and invasion of non-native species.
Marsh
Marshes are palustrine wetlands characterized by having water at or near the surface during most of the growing season, dominance by herbaceous vegetation, and having
48 organic or mineral soils (White and Madany 1978). Two marsh community types are recognized in Illinois; marsh and brackish marsh. Only marsh is found in the UDPAA
Marsh - Marshes in northeastern Illinois often co-occur with sedge meadow and remnants of wet prairie; these communities sometimes are associated with seeps. These community types often gradually merge and distinguishing community boundaries can be somewhat arbitrary. A total of 13 acresof marsh, collectively found at two sites, are recognized by the INAI as high-quality, undegraded sites representing only 0.6% of the Illinois total (Table 5). An additional 4 acres of high-quality marsh habitat are recognized at Busse Woods, a site that occurs on the UDPAA boundary.
Characteristic graminoid species include the grasses fowl manna grass, manna grass, blue joint grass, common reed, rice cutgrass, and reed canary grass (probably adventive stock), numerous sedges (Carex annectans, C. atherodes, C. lacustris, C. lanuginosa, C. sartwellii, C. stipata, C. tribuloides, C. trichocarpa, C. vulpinoidea, Eleocharis erythropoda, E. smallii), and bulrushes (e.g., Scirpus acutus, S. atrovirens, S. cyperinus, S. fluviatilis, and S. tabemaemontanii). Common forbs and other monocot species include sweet flag, common water plaintain, Indian hemp, swamp milkweed, nodding beggar ticks, tall swamp marigold, swamp tickseed, false nettle, marsh bellflower, bulblet water hemlock, water hemlock, cinnamon willow herb, spotted loe-Pye-weed, common boneset, yellow avens, rough avens, saw-toothed sunflower, spotted touch-rne-not, blue flag, Dudley's rush, Torrey's rush, common water horehound, tufted loosestrife, winged loosestrife, field mint. meadow parsnip, water smartweed, mild water pepper, yellow water crowfoot, swamp dock, arrowleaf, water parsnip, late goldenrod, bur-reed, woundwort, smooth hedge nettle, wood sage, purple meadow rue, common cat-tail, and blue vervain. Common fern and fern allies include common horsetail, scouring rush, and sensitive fern. Shrubs include buttonbush, pale dogwood, and red-osier dogwood. Black willow is a common small tree associated with marshes in the UDPAA.
Threatened or endangered species known from marshes in the UDPAA (Table 8) include beaked sedge, marsh speedwell, and possibly a bulrush species (Scirpus hattorianus). A species recently discovered in Illinois, Crawford's sedge (Carex crawfordii [Taft 1992a, 1992b]), and now listed as endangered (Herkert 1994), occurs in marsh habitat at two locations within one mile ofthe assessment area boundary, one on the west and one on the east-side of the UDPAA This taxon may occur undetected in marshes within the assessment area. Ecological problems in marsh include siltation, altered flooding regimes, run-off of roadway de-icing salts, invasion of exotic species, and over abundance of aggressive, disturbance-tolerant native species. Siltation and altered flooding regime, particularly, can reduce the integrity of a marsh. When changes in flooding dynamics result in increased frequency and/or duration of flooding, species intolerant of the new levels will decline and species tolerant of the new levels will increase. Increasers under conditions of siltation and increased flooding often include reed canary grass, common red reed, river bulrush, and common cat-tail. Compared with upland habitats, relatively few exotic species are present in wetland communities (Havera et al. 1994). However, a few taxa (purple loosestrife, glossy buckthorn, bittersweet
49 nightshade, reed canary grass, and narrow-leaved cattail) are serious pests that can threaten the diversity of a wetland site. Other exotic species present in marshes within the UDPAA include cut-leaved teasel, bamyard grass, yellow iris, reed canary grass, Kentucky bluegrass, curly dock, and crack willow.
Swamp
The swamp community subclass in Illinois includes two community types: (forested) swamp and shrub swamp (White and Madany 1978). These wetlands are inundated throughout much of the year.
Shrub swamp - A shrub swamp is a wetland with at least 50% cover of shrubs (White and Madany 1978). Sites with peat development are separately classified as shrub bog or shrub fen communities. A portion of some marsh, sedge meadow, and seep complexes in the UDPAA are partially dominated by shrubs and may qualify for this distinct natural community designation. No areas of shrub swamp within the boundaries of the UDPAA are considered high-quality, undegraded, natural areas. However, four acres of high quality shrub swamp occur at Busse Woods, a Cook County site that occurs on the boundary of the assessment area. It is not clear if the area of shrub swamp is within or outside the UDPAA boundary.
Typically, species composition includes many taxa from the marsh or sedge meadow community types. However, shrubs are dominant including buttonbush, pale dogwood, red-osier dogwood, common ninebark, American black current, pussy willow, sandbar willow, blue leaf willow, petioled willow, heart-leaved willow, silky willow, and meadow sweet. Other species not specifically reported from within the assessment area but known from the region where they occasionally occur in shrub swamps include shining willow (Salix lucida) and hardhack (Spiraea tomentosa).
No threatened or endangered species are reported from shrub swamp habitat within the UDPAA. However, swollen sedge has been reported from a shrubby wetland at Kennicott's Grove, a forest preserve on the UDPAA boundary in Cook County (Table 8). The precise community type is unknown, but this occurrence may be in a shrub swamp within or very near the assessment area. Ecological problems are similar to the marsh community type.
Bog
Bogs are acid peatlands and in Illinois mostly are oligotrophic (poorly fed) wetlands. Today in Illinois, bogs are restricted to the Morainal Section of the Northeast Morainal Natural Division. Four bog communities are recognized in Illinois: forested bog, tall shrub bog, low-shrub bog, and graminoid bog (White and Madany 1978). Most bogs occur just west of the UDPAA in the Fox River valley basin, including Antioch Bog which contains the tall-shrub bog natural community. A small portion of a buffer zone
50 bordering Antioch Bog is included within the UDPAA. However, since no bog communities occur within the UDPAA, they will not be described here in detail. Two Lake County, bogs that occur just west of this assessment area have been described in detail (Sheviak and Haney 1973, Taft and Solecki 1990). Bogs typically contain numerous species listed as threatened or endangered in Illinois. At Antioch Bog, within a few hundred feet of the assessment area, several rare species, including some listed as threatened or endangered by the IESPB (Herkert 1991), have been reported including larch (Larix laricina), high-bush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), dwarf birch (Betula pumila), three-seeded bog sedge (Carex trisperma), rusty cotton grass (Eriophorum virginicum), alder buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia), inland shadbush (Amelanchier interior), red-berried elder (Sambucus pubens), and white beak rush (Rhynchospora alba). Another bog, Shreiber Lake Bog which contains a graminoid bog community, occurs within one mile of the UDPAA boundary. Populations of four Illinois threatened and endangered species occur there including large cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), cordroot sedge (Carex chordorrhiza), and white beak rush (Illinois Department of Natural Resources 1997).
Fen
Fens (and bogs) are peatlands (peat accumulates when plant growth exceeds decomposition). In general, fens are slightly to strongly calcareous, are constantly recharged with mineral-rich groundwater that has percolated through calcareous gravel in adjacent moraines, and the majority of the peat is derived from sedges (Moran 1981, Stynoff and Hess 1986, Taft and Solecki 1990). Some fens occur within basins largely surrounded by moraines; typically, cool, calcareous, artesian ground water seeps up through the fen. Other fens form on level to slightly sloping areas where calcareous water seeps out of the bases of moraines. Spring runs often can be found within fens. Within Illinois, fens are most common in the upper Fox River basin, and they frequently occur near gravelly moraines. Five separate fen community types are recognized in Illinois: calcareous floating mat, graminoid fen, low-shrub fen, tall-shrub fen [very rare], and forested fen (White and Madany 1978). Fen community types that occur within the UDPAA include calcareous floating mats and possibly graminoid fens.
Ecological problems associated with fens include grazing by domestic livestock, lowering of the water table caused by ditching and other drainage activities, fire suppression, and exotic species invasion. Moran (1981) gives lists of herbaceous and woody species that increase with disturbances. Exotic species include purple loosestrife and glossy buckthorn. Fens are characterized by a specialized flora (including several threatened or endangered species), although many taxa are also in common with seep, sedge meadow, and wet to wet-mesic prairie communities. In northeastern Illinois, wetland complexes occasionally occur with characteristics of all four of these communities. Separate delineation based on floristic composition at times requires arbitrary distinctions.
51 Calcareous floating mat - This natural community is a floating mat of sedge peat usually over a lake or pond. Conditions are quite calcareous, and sphagnum mosses are usually absent. Typically, sedges and grasses dominate the mat (White and Madany 1978). A total of 16 acres of high-quality calcareous floating mat occur at a single site within the UDPAA (Forth Lake) representing almost 10% of the total undegraded acreage for the state (Table 5).
Common to occasional species at the floating mat at Forth Lake include marsh milkweed, Hayden's sedge, narrow-leaved woolly sedge, bladder fern (usually a species of dolomite cliffs), common boneset, blue flag, marsh wild timothy, grass of Pamassus, swamp wood betony, common reed, beaded willow, pussy willow, blue-leaved willow, marsh fern, and common cattail. Some characteristic plants of fen or floating mat communities are present nearby the floating mat at Forth Lake in a marsh community. These are included here because they are atypical for marsh and probably favored by locally alkaline, fenlike, conditions. These include marsh cinquefoil, dwarf birch (also a species of the tall-shrub zone of bogs), bog willow, and hoary willow (Myers and Paulson 1980).
At least four species listed by the IESPB (Herkert 199 I, 1994) occur in the floating mat community at Forth Lake; these are downy willow herb, bog bedstraw, common bog arrow grass, and little green sedge (Table 8). Ecological problems include run-off of roadway de-icing salts, drainage, and sewage contamination from residential developments.
Graminoidfen - This community type is an minerotrophic peatiand dominated by herbaceous vegetation. Typically, peat is formed on a slope at the edge of a moraine; occasionally, the peat forms as a raised island in a marsh or sedge meadow. In some instances, mesic prairie grasses are the dominant species, in other cases the dominants are sod-forming sedges (but not tussock forming sedges). Although the peat can be quite elevated, it resists decay due to the high levels of calcium and magnesium carbonate. Overall diversity of plant species can be quite high as a number of prairie, sedge meadow, and seep species occur in addition to typical fen species. A total of about 0.1 acres of undegraded graminoid fen occurs at one site in the UDPAA (John White, pers. com.) and an unknown amount of unknown quality occurs at Forth Lake (and possibly other sites), presumably in association with the previously described calcareous floating mat (Myers and Paulson 1980). This represents about 0.08% of the total undegraded graminoid fen in Illinois (Table 5).
Common to occasional species include big bluestem, rush aster, marsh marigold, bulb bittercress, buxbaum sedge, Hayden's sedge, bottlebrush sedge, inland sedge, spotted Joe Pye weed, common boneset, sweet grass, marsh blazing star, prairie lily, meadow parsnip, grass-of-Parnassus, swamp wood betony, false dragonhead, American black currant, rough-leaf goldenrod, Riddell's goldenrod, and marsh fern.
52 One threatened and endangered species, slender bog arrow grass, occurs in a small graminoid fen in Lake County (Table 8). Numerous rare plant species are often present in graminoid fens including several listed as threatened or endangered by the IESPB (Herkert 1991, 1994). If additional fens are found in the assessment area, they should be surveyed by experienced botanists for threatened and endangered species. Ecological problems include habitat degradation from grazing and other disturbances, fire absence, altered hydrology, and introduction of exotic species. Exotic species found in fens include purple loosestrife and glossy buckthorn.
Sedge Meadow
Sedge meadow is a wetland subclass dominated by sedges that occur on mineral or organic (peat or muck) soils (White and Madany 1978). These wetlands are saturated during much of the year, but are usually not inundated for long periods. Sedge meadows often merge gradually with other wetland community types (e.g., wet prairie, wet-mesic prairie, marsh, seep, graminoid fen) forming complexes with no clear boundaries. Only one natural community type is recognized in Illinois, the sedge meadow.
Sedge meadow - This community type is virtually defined by the hummock sedge (Carex stricta) which is usually dominant. Relative age ofthe wetland community may be indicated by how well the hummocks are formed. Hummock sedge characteristically forms mounds, or hummocks, that are somewhat difficult to walk through. In fact, where sedge meadows occur within pastures, it appears that cattle avoid these wetlands somewhat, presumably due to the difficulty in walking, but also because other more palatable forage is available. A total of about 50 acres of high-quality sedge meadow occur in the UDPAA at a single site representing about 7.3% of the total undegraded sedge meadow in Illinois (Table 5). Other sedge meadows are present within the assessment area that with management and removal of the degradation factors may improve in quality. One former high-quality sedge meadow near Gilmer along Indian Creek was destroyed recently when beavers formed a dam on the creek resulting in a prolonged inundation period for the sedge meadow. This site remains flooded; however, if it was released from flooding, it is not likely that the former diverse sedge meadow would become reestablished. Such sites probably develop into wet meadows dominated by reed canary grass.
Common to occasional species in sedge meadow are swamp milkweed, willow aster, swamp aster, nodding beggar ticks, tall swamp marigold, swamp tickseed, blue joint grass, marsh bellflower, several sedges (Carex annectans, C. atherodes, C. buxbaumii, C. conjuncta, C. cristatella, C. granularis, C. haydenii, C. lacustris, C. lanuginosa, C. sartwellii, C. stricta, C. tenera, and C. vulpinodea), water hemlock, red-osier dogwood, spike rush, cinnamon willow herb, bog willow herb, water horsetail, spotted Joe-Pye weed, common boneset, grass-leaved goldenrod, stiff bedstraw, closed gentian, rough avens, fowl manna grass, saw-tooth sunflower, spotted touch-me-not, blue flag, Dudley's rush, Torrey's rush, marsh vetchling, common water horehound, loosestrife, field mint,
53 smooth phlox, common mountain mint, swamp saxifrage, great bulrush, soft-stemmed bulrush, marsh skullcap, blue skullcap, late goldenrod, prairie cord grass, and blue vervain.
Threatened and endangered species reported from sedge meadows in the assessment area include beaked sedge and prairie white-fringed orchid (Table 8). The latter taxon, also listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Herkert 1991), occurs in a sedge meadow/marsh/seep complex in the assessment area. It is also present in a degraded sedge meadow/old field and a roadside patch of cat-tails (as well as other community types) just outside of the assessment area boundary. Ecological problems for sedge meadows include altered hydrology, past efforts at cultivation or other developments, siltation from cultivated uplands, and exotic species invasion. Exotic species include Kentucky bluegrass, glossy buckthorn, and in wetter areas, purple loosestrife.
Seep
Seeps are wetland communities characterized by a constant diffuse flow of ground water, typically from the lower portions of slopes of glacial moraines, ravines, and terraces (White and Madany 1978). Generally, peat formation does not occur in the seep community. The boundary of the community is generally considered to be the zone of, saturation from the seepage. The water chemistry of the ground water is influenced by the material it flows through and this in turn influences, to some extent, floristic composition. In Illinois, five different seep community types are recognized: seeps are circumneutral and occur where the ground water is not strongly influenced by bedrock or parent material chemistry; acid (gravel) seeps occur associated with sandstone bedrock or gravel; calcareous seeps occur where the ground water is mineralized by alkaline bedrock (e.g., limestone) and/or soil parent materials like glacial drift; sand seeps emerge from sand deposits and may be calcareous, acid, or neutral; spring communities occur where a channel is formed. Although seeps are present occur within the UDPAA, none have been designated as high-quality natural areas. Seep communities within the assessment area include seep and possibly calcareous seep. Seeps typically may be considered inclusions within other community types such as sedge meadow, marsh, forest, fen, and wet to wet-mesic prairie.
Seep - Seeps probably occur locally in some mesic upland and mesic floodplain forest communities bordering the Des Plaines River. Other seeps may occur within sedge meadows or other wetland communities. There are no specific data available on seep communities in the assessment area. Typical graminoid and forb species in the region include sweet flag, false foxglove, Angelica, COWSlip, marsh marigold, sedges (Carex bromoides [rare], C. comosa, C. hystricina, and C. suberecta), white turtlehead, bog willow herb, common horsetail, scouring rush, common boneset, spotted touch-me-not, rice cutgrass, meadow parsnip, swamp wood betony, swamp buttercup, lizard's tail, rough leaf goldenrod, and skunk cabbage. Common woody plants include pale dogwood and black ash.
54 -_._------
Ecological problems associated with seeps include degradation by over grazing and alterations to the watershed that influence ground water discharge. Exotic species include creeping Charlie, self heal, and narrow-leaved cat-tail.
Calcareous seep - This natural community is restricted in Illinois to the Wisconsinan till plain. Typically, calcareous seeps occur at the base of moraines or river valley walls and sometimes they occur in association with fens. The groundwater in this natural community is strongly calcareous, and tufa deposits (concretions of calcium carbonate) may form. Many of the same plant species that occur in fens also occur in calcareous seeps. No calcareous seeps are recognized as high-quality natural areas in the UDPAA and it is not clear if any are present.
Common species include false foxglove, marsh marigold, bulb bittercress, sedges (Carex hystricina. C. sterilis. C. suberecta), white turtlehead, common horsetail, scouring rush, cotton sedge (Eriophorum angustifolium), spotted Joe-Pye weed, common boneset, spotted touch-me-not, rush (funcus brachycephalus). rice cut grass, whorled loosestrife, grass-of-Parnassus, swamp wood betony, rough-leaf goldenrod, Riddell's goldenrod, and skunk cabbage. Other species typical of this habitat but not specifically reported from within the UDPAA include wiry panic grass (Panicum flexile), low calamint (Satureja arkansana), joint rush (funcus nodosus), brook nut sedge (Cyperus rivularis), Ohio goldenrod (Solidago ohiensis), and Kalm's lobelia (Lobelia kalmii).
One species listed as endangered in Illinois, slender bog arrow grass (Herkert 1991), is reported from a graminoid fen in the UDPAA; however, the population occurs in a calcareous seep with underlying peat in the fen community (White 1990a). Ecological problems include altered hydrology, particularly reduced recharge zones due to urbanization and other alterations, trampling by humans and animals in this sensitive habitat, and exotic species invasion. A typical non-native species is water cress.
Lake and Pond
Lakes and ponds are open-water habitats, and natural lakes and ponds in northeastern Illinois are the result of the Wisconsinan glaciation which left several pothole depressions in the Valparaiso Morainic system. In the UDPAA there are numerous natural ponds and lakes in the Lake County portion of the assessment area west of the Des Plaines River (Figure 8).
Lake and Pond are the two subclasses of the Lake and Pond community class recognized in Illinois. Only a single natural community type, pond, occurs in the Pond subclass while lake and Great lake are natural communities under the Lake subclass (White and Madany 1978). Few detailed floristic data are available on natural ponds and lakes from within the UDPAA. Common to occasional species of open water habitats, including ponds and lakes, in the region of the assessment area (borrowing selectively from descriptions in Swink and Wilhelm [1994] and Taft [1996]) include coootail, needle spike
55 rush, red-rooted spike rush, slender waterweed, duckweed, ivy-leaved duckweed, marsh purslane, spiked water milfoil, water milfoil, slender naiad, yellow pond lily, white water lily, water smartweed, leafy pondweed, mermaid-weed, yellow water crowfoot, longbeak buttercup, common arrowhead, common cat-tail, common bladderwort, eel grass, and horned pondweed.
Ecological problems with ponds and lakes include, drainage, degradation from direct and indirect livestock use, leaking septic systems and other sewage inputs, and siltation from cultivated uplands. Non-native plant species such as curly pondweed, and European water milfoil can become abundant.
Pond - Natural ponds include shallow-water wetlands less than 20 acres that are not excavated or impounded. They are usually shallow enough to allow rooted aquatic plants to grow across most of the area. Within the UDPAA are 468 acres of natural ponds, mostly in the northern half of the watershed; however, no ponds have been recognized by the INAI as high-quality natural areas. In addition to natural ponds, there are about 1,412 acres of artificial pond habitats in the assessment area. These include impoundments, sewage-treatment lagoons, and excavated ponds. Natural ponds often occur in association with marsh and/or sedge meadow natural communities. See generalized description for the Pond and Lake natural community class for species composition.
Lake (natural) - Lakes are distinguished from ponds by several characteristics: lakes are larger (>20 acres) and deeper than ponds, thermal stratification is more prominent in lakes compared with ponds, wave action typically produces locally a semi-barren shore zone, and portions of lakes generally are too deep to support rooted aquatic plants. Natural lakes were once present throughout Illinois, but most have been drained or drastically altered. Most natural lakes that remain in Illinois are in the Northeastern Morainal Division. There are a total of about 502 acres of lake (lacustrine) habitat in the UDPAA (Table 3), although no lakes are considered to be of high ecological quality. See generalized description for the Pond and Lake natural community class for species composition.
One species, grass-leaved pondweed, listed as endangered by the IESPB is known from a natural lake in the UDPAA. In addition, within one mile of the west boundary of the assessment area are lakes that support populations of three pondweed species listed as endangered by the IESPB (grass-leaved pondweed, fern pondweed, and white-stemmed pondweed). Ecological problems are addressed briefly in the description for the Pond and Lake community class.
Cultural Habitats
This class describes communities formed by anthropogenic activities and disturbances and includes cropland, pastureland, successional fields, developed land (e.g., urban), tree plantations, artificial lakes and ponds, and prairie reconstructions (White and Madany
56
------1978). A noteworthy wetland reconstruction effort associated with the upper Des Plaines River in the assessment area will be described briefly in this section. Cultural, mostly urban land, is the major community class in the UDPAA comprising about 57% of the total land area (Table 2). No threatened or endangered species are known from cultural habitats in the UDPAA, although seaside crowfoot occurs at two degraded sites in Lake County, one within a one-mile buffer of the assessment area (Table 8). These areas impose some of the most challenging ecological problems for natural habitats in the UDPAA (see discussion below). Exceptions are the prairie reconstructions, termed prairie restoration by the INAI (White and Madany 1978), and wetland reconstruction efforts. These are the only community types mentioned below since they are the only examples in the Cultural community class of efforts to create natural communities.
Prairie Restoration - Typically, prairie reconstructions are plantings of prairje species on grassland soils where the original natural community has been destroyed. Prairie species are planted, sometimes in an effort to produce a warm-season grassland and sometimes with the goal of attempting to recreate the original prairie community. Prairie reconstructions often are species poor and strongly dominated by only a few taxa. The total area of prairie reconstruction within the UDPAA is unknown. None have developed into communities that mimic undegraded tall-grass 'prairie in species richness or structure.
Wetland Restoration - A large and ambitious wetland reconstruction effort was begun along the upper Des Plaines River near Wadsworth in Lake County in about 1985 (Hey 1994, Hey et al. 1989, Hey et al. 1994, Brueske and Barrett 1994, U.S. EPA 1993). This undertaking has been coordinated by Wetland Research, Inc., of Chicago. In summary, four wetlands were reconstructed near the Des Plaines River with the primary goal of improving river water quality. Water is pumped out of the river and into these wetlands under an experimental regime to determine the efficacy of reconstructed wetland vegetation in improving stream water quality. Turbidity in the river was a major water quality problem and the wetlands were effective at removing most of the sediment during summer months; winter efficiency was lower than during the summer months (US EPA 1993). Phosphorus and nitrates used in agricultural lands leach and run-off into the stream during periods of peak application and the wetlands were efficient at removing most of these nutrients, particularly during the summer months (US EPA 1993). Though some of the functional aspects of wetlands appear to be operational in the short term, structural aspects, including compositional characteristics, appear to take much longer. Reconstructed wetlands, like reconstructed prairies, appear to take a long time (>5 years and probably >50 years) to develop into systems that structurally and compositionally resemble natural communities. However, severely fragmented landscapes limit immigration potential of native species from outside refugia (Taft 1996, Taft et al. 1997, Schwartz 1997) and species-poor reconstructions in these landscapes may never resemble the diversity or structural characteristics of undegraded natural areas.
57 Summary and Recommendations
Trends in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area among all natural communities combined indicate that habitat loss and degradation are less than statewide trends (0.2% of the UDPAA remains in a high-quality, undegraded condition compared to 0.07% statewide). This is particularly true for forest and wetland communities. However, for prairie and savanna communities, habitat loss and degradation appear to be similar or for prairies only slightly less-severe compared to statewide trends. Nonetheless, in spite of these slight differences, the trends are not encouraging. About 99.8% of the land cover in the UDPAA has been degraded to some extent, and the rapid pace of development may continue to jepordize the remaining high-quality sites. Additional survey efforts in the UDPAA may identify noteworthy and/or restorable remnants of natural communities and new populations of threatened or endangered species, particularly in undeveloped portions of Lake County.
Despite the availability of a considerable amount of descriptive information regarding natural communities in the UDPAA, there remain many knowledge gaps, such as the long-term abundance patterns of species, ecological trends among remnants, and the ecological factors in each community type responsible for maintaining or maximizing species richness. This is particularly true for savannas, formerly abundant community types in the basin (e.g., Moran 1978) now reduced to a few isolated and degraded remnants. Further, since remnants of any community type tend to have floristic differences (no two natural areas are the same), and very few undegraded remnants remain of each indigenous community type, there is an incomplete knowledge of even floristic characteristics for all community types historically present in the assessment area.
Throughout the natural community descriptions for the UDPAA there are consistent references to a set of related ecological problems that threaten the long-term maintenance of biodiversity in the UDPAA. These include habitat fragmentation, habitat degradation, exotic species invasion, siltation, and, for several community types, fire absence. The following five steps are recommended as an approach for gaining further insights into the natural communities in the UDPAA and developing a plan for the long-term maintenance of biodiversity.
1. Inventory The Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (lNAI) provides data on the distribution and abundance of statewide-significant natural communities (White 1978). However, many natural communities occur in Illinois that, although they do not meet the qualitative standards chosen for the INAI for undegraded and statewide-significant natural areas, contain regionally noteworthy and exceptional natural features. Many natural communities in the UDPAA, although somewhat degraded, retain relatively high levels of ecological integrity and have potential for further improvement through restoration efforts. Since the INA1 sites are few and small in total area, the somewhat degraded but restorable natural communities that remain are critical for the long-term maintenance of
58 biodiversity in the region. Remnants among all community classes (forest, prairie,. savanna, and wetland) need to be identified. For example, since no high-quality savanna, dry-mesic prairie, or wet to wet-mesic floodplain forest remnants are known from the UDPAA, identification of the degraded remnants with restoration potential is central to any recovery effort for these community types. Floristic Quality Assessment, a method for evaluating the natural quality of habitat remnants that employs numerous parameters of community characteristics (including floristic inventory data and INAI grades), is a promising technique for distinguishing remnants of native vegetation that have restoration potential (Swink and Wilhelm 1994, Taft et a1. 1997).
2. Map All results from natural community inventory efforts should be categorized and mapped to provide a spatial context for the locations of habitats with differing ecological. conditions. This will aid in identifying concentrations of noteworthy natural communities which can serve as focus areas for establishing large preserve complexes or macrosites. Trends in total area of each community class among qualitative units would serve as an aid in measuring success in restoration efforts (see below).
3. Protection The natural communities with the greatest integrity need to be protected from further anthropogenic degradation (e.g., damaging levels of grazing, off-road vehicle impacts, and siltation). Inventory and mapping in the basin will aid in the prioritization of protection efforts. Highly isolated remnants pose distinct conservation and protection challenges compared with clusters of restorable natural communities. Staff of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701) are familiar with the various protection options and incentives for private landowners.
4. Identification and prioritization of ecological problems As previously indicated, a host of related ecological problems consistently are present among remnant natural communities in the UDPAA (habitat fragmentation, habitat degradation, exotic species invasion, and fire absence). Some problems can be addressed more readily than others. Habitatfragmentation is a widespread problem with potentially devastating consequences for ecological integrity, often resulting in an interruption of biological interactions, ecological processes, species migrations, and a reduction in habitat heterogeneity (Wilcove et a1. 1986). High levels of fragmentation often result in a loss of species richness because species immigration, needed to compensate for local extirpation (and emigration) of species, is seriously challenged. However, solutions to restoring biological connectivity and ecosystem-level processes are extraordinarily complex and costly if the goal is to re-create corridors for all species among regional habitats. If functional dispersal corridors can not be established for most species, maintaining biodiversity in the highly fragmented landscape of the UDPAA may require distinct management actions among several remnants of each community type in order to simulate the landscape-scale heterogeneity needed to accomplish this goal. Unfortunately, where habitat loss is pronounced, that option is seldom available.
59 In contrast, habitat degradation is a widespread problem that can be slowed and/or minimized at many sites by removing the degradation factor (e.g., grazing, soil disturbances), although restoration to predisturbance condition in severe cases may require intensive vegetation management. It is difficult to find a woodland in Illinois that does not bear indications of past cattle grazing. Furthermore, particularly in the Chicago region, intense deer browsing is negatively impacting many native plant communities. The effects of over-grazing can be persistent. Certain species (e.g., many ferns, orchids, trilliums, blue cohosh, bellflower, bloodroot, several grass and sedge species) appear to be sensitive to grazing disturbance and are often absent while certain grazing increasers (e.g., unpalatable species, thorn-bearing species, and plants with bristly fruits) are dominant. For instance, a typical situation in Illinois woodlands is a ground-cover and shrub flora dominated by common snakeroot, white snakeroot, buckbrush, Missouri gooseberry, blackberries (Rubus spp.), Virginia creeper, and the exotic garlic mustard. Usually, confounding influences, such as grazing, increased shade, and siltation, or other soil disturbances are involved.
Exotic species invasion can be considered a species-level, a community-level, and a landscape-level problem, particularly in the Chicago region. The area of northeastern Illinois supports more exotic species than any other region of Illinois and natural communities in the region often are infested with multiple pernicious exotic species. In particular, glossy buckthorn, common buckthorn, European high-bush cranberry, the bush honeysuckles (e.g., Lonicera maackii, L. tatartica), garlic mustard, bittersweet nightshade, and purple loosestrife are so ubiquitous that it is difficult to imagine eliminating them from natural communities in the region. However, some community level management activities address more than one ecological problem. For example, garlic mustard abundance possibly can be reversed with appropriately timed applications of fire (Nuzzo 1991; Schwartz and Heim 1996). Other serious exotic pests, such as purple loosestrife, require direct treatment or biological control (Thompson et al. 1987, Malecki et al. 1993). Recommended control measures for several of the most threatening and abundant exotic species are summarized in Table 10 (modified from Solecki 1997).
Fire is an ecological force that historically influenced many aspects of natural communities in the UDPAA. Many community types require fire for maintenance of community characteristics and diversity. Fire absence has resulted in changes in forest structure, composition, and diversity. Invasion of mesophytic species, such as sugar maple into oak-hickory forests, is a statewide phenomenon related to fire absence also occurring in northeastern Illinois and the UDPAA. Many forests in Illinois are dominated in the canopy by oaks but have few oak saplings. Rather, shade-tolerant (and fire intolerant) species like sugar maple often are extraordinarily more common and dense than prior to settlement. An obvious consequence of this change is the possible loss of oak woodlands and the plant and wildlife species that depend on them. A rich assemblage of spring wildflowers can still be found in some woodlands because these spring ephemerals largely escape the ensuing shade of the dense overstory and thus selectively persist while typically only a few shade-tolerant species can be found in the summer and fall. Infrequent application of prescribed fire appears unlikely to reverse
60 these trends. Rather, a long-term program of repeated applications of prescribed fire is often necessary before compositional stability is achieved. Nevertheless, prescribed fires can be implemented to a wide variety of remnants and community types, at little cost, and achieve measurable improvements in many parameters of ecosystem integrity. Consideration needs to be given to the whole natural community. Spatially heterogenous burns appear most effective at maintaining viable populations of fire dependent and fire sensitive species.
Table 10. List of selected invasive exotic species known or suspected to occur in the Upper Des Plains Assessment Area and recommended eradication methods.
Cut & Apply Foliar Cut &/or Stump-Treatmt Herbicide Prescribed Hand Pull Dig Bio- Species Herbicide Application Fire (get root) Root Control
Amur honeysuckle X X X asparagus X X Autumn olive awnless brome grass X black locust X - Garlon 4 Canadian bluegrass X common buckthorn X X common burdock X X X cut-leaved teasel X X Cypress spurge ? X X garlic mustard X X X glossy buckthorn X X ground ivy X ? X Kentucky bluegrass X meadow fescue X X X moneywort X ? motherwort ? X X multiflora rose X orange day lily X X Osage orange X parsnip X X X* periwinkle X X purple loosestrife X X X Queen Anne's lace X reed canary grass X X X tree-of-heaven X X white mulberry X white poplar X X white sweet clover X X yarrow X X yellow sweet clover X X
I The recommended herbicide, typically, is Round-up (glyphosate) except for black locust (Solecki 1997). 2 Asterisk (*) indicates plant has phototoxic properties and skin contact should be avoided.
61 5. Application of appropriate vegetation management and monitoring Once the ecological problems for a natural community are identified and prioritized according to restoration effort and gain, a program of vegetation management needs to be implemented. Record keeping is vital to tracking activities and levels of success in implementing each treatment plan. Floristic Quality Assessment (Swink and Wilhelm 1994, Taft et al. 1997) methods may provide a framework useful in measuring the progress of each restoration activity.
62 Birds
Introduction
Information in this section is derived from standard references of Illinois including the Illinois Natural Heritage Database (Illinois Department of Natural Resources 1997), The Illinois Breeding Bird Atlas (Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in prep), Avian Ecological Investigations (Illinois Department of Natural Resources, unpublished reports), and the results of extensive field work by personnel from the Illinois Natural History Survey (much of it ongoing and not yet published).
The Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area (UDPAA) is notable primarily for its rich potential for wetland bird communities; otherwise, it has species typical of the urbanized sections of the northern tip of the state. At least 270 of the 299 species that regularly occur in the state (exclusive of vagrants) can be found in the area (Table 11). Of these 270 species, 136 breed or formerly bred there (Table 11). Of these, 50 are either locally. extinct, or are rare during the breeding season (species with an r in Table II), which suggest that some habitats may be in short supply in the UDPAA. Several globally extinct species (Passenger Pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius, and Carolina Parakeet Conuropsis carolinensis) formerly occurred in the basin as did the locally extirpated Sharp-tailed Grouse (Typanuchus phasianellus), Greater Prairie-Chicken (Typanuchus cupido), Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus), and Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis). Wild Turkeys have been re-established in the UDPAA.
Most forest patches are small and narrow and are unlikely to have successfully breeding populations of most species (Brawn and Robinson 1996), which suggests that restoration of grassland, savanna, and shrubland bird communities may be more effective. For this reason, wetland habitats should be the primary focus of conservation efforts in the region, especially those with adjacent upland grassland or forest habitats to buffer them from surrounding agricultural and residential areas.). We know little, however, about the effects of fragmentation on wetland habitats. Their use by migratory birds of the forested corridor along the Des Plaines River may be intense.
The bird species that live in the UDPAA are ecologically diverse, and although some species are able to live in a variety of habitats, many species occupy only one or a few habitats (Table I I). The sections fo]]owing Table I I describe the bird communities typically found in the major habitat types of the UDPAA, as well as the habitat-specific environmental problems and management solutions for bird communities in each habitat.
63 Table 11. Bird species that regularly occur in the Upper Des Plaines Partnership. These are species that are likely to be present all or most years. This list excludes extinct species and many wandering or "vagrant" species that have been recorded in the area. The purpose is to list only those species that have or could have significant populations in the area. The table also lists the habitats that are most likely to be occupied during each season.
Species1.2 Breeding"6,, Winter',6 Migrant,,6
Common Loon L Gavia immer Pied-billed Grebe - ST LW LW Podilymbus podiceps Eared Grebe L Podiceps nigricollis Homed Grebe L Podiceps auritus Double-crested Cormorant - ST LW(<) L Phalarocorax auritus American Bittern - SE W(r) W Botaurus lentiginosus Least Bittern - SE weT) W Ixobrychus exilis Great Blue Heron LWFsF LW LW Ardea herodias Great Egret - ST W(r) LW Ardeaalbus Snowy Egret· SE W Egretta thula Little Blue Heron - SE LW Egretta caerulea Cattle Egret CGW Bubulcus ibis Green Heron LWFs LWFs Butorides virescens Black-crowned Night-Heron - SE FsW<" FsW Nycticorax nycticorax Yellow-crowned Night-Heron - ST Fs (r) Fs Nycticorax violaceus Tundra Swan LW Cygnus columbianus Trumpeter Swan LW Cygnus buccinator Mute Swan LW 64 Table 11. Continued Species I.2 Breeding'·6., Winter'·6 Migrant'·6 Wood Duck FsW FsWL Aix sponsa Green-winged Teal WL Anas crecca American Black Duck WLFsC Anas rubripes Mallard WCLFsG WCLFs WCLFs Anas platyrhynchos Northern Pintail WCL Anas acuta Blue-winged Teal WG WL Anas discors Northern Shoveler WL Anas clypeata Gadwall WL Anas strepera American Wigeon WL Anas americana Canvasback LW Aythya valisineria Redhead LW Aythya americana Ring-necked Duck LW Aythya collaris Greater Scaup LW Aythya marila Lesser Scaup LW Aythya affinis Oldsquaw L Clangula hyemalis Surf Scoter L Melanitta perspicillata White-winged Scoter L L Melanittafusca Common Goldeneye L L Bucephala clangula Bufflehead L LW Bucephala albeola Hooded Merganser Fs (T) LFsW Lophodytes cucullatus Common Merganser L L Mergus merganser Red-breasted Merganser LW Mergus serrator Ruddy Duck LW Oxyura jamaicensis 65 Table 11. Continued Species 1.2 Breeding'·6.? Winter'·6 Migrant'·6 Turkey Vulture FGCFs Say FGC S SayFs Cathartes aura Osprey - SE L Pandion haliaetus Bald Eagle - SE, FT L L Haliaeetus leucocephalus Northern Harrier - SE GW'" GCW GCW Circus cyaneus Sharp-shinned Hawk - SE F (" F SRFs Say F S RFsSay Accipiter striatus Cooper's Hawk F S Say F SR Say FS RSay Accipiter cooperii Northern Goshawk FS FSWL Accipiter gentilis Red-shouldered Hawk - SE Fs (r) Fs Fs Buteo lineatus Broad-winged Hawk F (T) F Buteo platypterus Swainson's Hawk - SE FGSay Buteo swainsoni Red-tailed Hawk FCGRS FCGRS FCGRS Buteo jamaicensis Rough-legged Hawk CG Buteo lagopus Golden Eagle FSG Aquila chrysaetos American Kestrel RCGSay RC G Say RCGSay Falco sparverius Merlin All Falco columbarius Peregrine Falcon - SE, FE All Falco peregrinus * Ring-necked Pheasant CGS CGS CGS Phasianus colchicus Wild Turkey F S Say Fs F S SayFsC F S Say Fs C Meleagris gallopavo Northern Bobwhite S GCSay S G C Say S GC Say Colinus virginianus Yellow Rail - SE GW Coturnicops noveboracensis King Rail - ST GW'" GW Rallus elegans Virginia Rail W WG Rallus limicola 66 Table 11. Continued Species1.2 Breeding"'" Winter'" MigrantS,6 Sora W (1) WG Porzana carolina Common Moorhen - ST W(') W Gallinula chloropus American Coot W(r) L WL Fulica americana Sandhill Crane - SE W(r) WGC Grus canadensis Black-bellied Plover LW Pluvialis squatarola American Golden-Plover WLCG Pluvialis dominica Semipalmated Plover W Charadrius semipalmatus Killdeer WRGC WRGC Charadrius vociferus Greater Yellowlegs W Tringa melanoleuca Lesser Yellowlegs W Tringa flavipes Solitary Sandpiper W Tringa solitaria Willet W Catoptrophorus semipalmatus Spotted Sandpiper L W Actitis macularia Upland Sandpiper - SE G(r) G Bartramia longicauda Hudsonian Godwit W Limosa haemastica Ruddy Turnstone W Arenaria interpres Sanderling W Calidris alba Semipalmated Sandpiper W Calidris pusilla Western Sandpiper W Calidris mauri Least Sandpiper W Calidris minutilla White-romped Sandpiper W Calidris fuscicollis Baird's Sandpiper WG Calidris bairdii 67 Table 11. Continued Speciesl.2 Breeding"'" Winter',6 Migrant,,6 Pectoral Sandpiper CWG Calidris melanotos Dunlin W Calidris alpina Stilt Sandpiper W Calidris liimantopus Buff-breasted Sandpiper WG Tryngites subruficollis Short-billed Dowitcher W Limnodromus griseus Long-billed Dowitcher W Limnodromus scolopaceus Common Snipe w(r) WG Gallinago gallinago American Woodcock FFsS FFsS Scolopax minor Wilson's Phalarope - SE LW Phalaropus tricolor Red-necked Phalarope LW Phalaropus lobatus Franklin's Gull LWC Larus pipixcan Bonaparte's Gull LWC Larus philadelphia Ring-billed Gull LW(') LWC LWC Larus delawarensis Herring Gull LW(') L WLC Larus argentatus Caspian Tern L Sterna caspia Common Tern - SE L Sterna hirundo Forster's Tern - SE LW(R) LW Sterna forsteri Black Tern· SE W(>l LW Chilidonias niger * Rock Dove RC RC RC Columba Livia Mourning Dove RCS RCS RCS Zenaida macroura * Monk Parakeet R (,) R R Myiopsitta monachus Black-billed Cuckoo S F S Sav Coccyzus erythropthalmus 68 Table 11. Continued Species 1.2 Breeding"'" Winter'" Migrant'" Yellow-billed Cuckoo F S Fs Say F S Fs Say Coccyzus americanus Barn Owl- SE C G R Say ,,' CGSav CGSav Tyto alba Eastern Screech-Owl RSSav RSSav RS Say Otus asio Great Homed Owl FCRFs Say FCR FsSav FC RFs Say Bubo virginianus Snowy Owl C Nyctea scandiaca Barred Owl FFs FFs FFs Strix varia Long-eared Owl. SE FS FS Asio otus Short-eared Owl - SE G G Asio flnmmeus Northern Saw-whet Owl FS FS Aegolius acadicus Common Nighthawk RSav RGC Chordeiles minor Whip-poor-will FSav F Say Caprimulgus vociferus Chimney Swift R F S Fs Say All Chaetura pelagica Ruby-throated Hummingbird F S RFs Say F S R Fs Say Archilochus colubris Belted Kingfisher LW LW LW Ceryle alcyon Red-headed Woodpecker FsRC FFs Say FFs C RSav Melanerpes erythrocephalus Red-bellied Woodpecker FFs S R Say FFs S RSav FFs S RSav Melanerpes carolinus Yellow-bellied Sapsucker FFs RSav FFs R Say Sphyrapicus varius Downy Woodpecker FFs R S Say FFs RS Say FFs RS Say Picoides pubescens Hairy Woodpecker F Fs Say R FFs RS Say FFs R S Say Picoides villosus Northern Flicker SF R Say Fs S FRSavFs S FR Say Fs Colaptes auratus Pileated Woodpecker F Fs Say (" FFs SavR FFs Say R Dryocopus pileatus Olive-sided Flycatcher FFs R S Say Contopus cooperi 69 ------ Table 11. Continued Species I.2 Breeding',6,' Winter',6 MigrantS,6 Eastern Wood-Pewee FFsRSay FFs RSay Contopus virens Yellow-bellied Flycatcher F S Fs Empidonax flaviventris Acadian Flycatcher FFs FFs Empidonax vireseens Alder Flycatcher WSSav Empidonax alnorum Willow Flycatcher WS WSSay Empidonax traillii Least Flycatcher FSay (el F S R Fs Say Empidonax minimus Eastern Phoebe RFs RFs Sayornis phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher F Fs Say FFsS RSay Myiarehus erinitus Eastern Kingbird S GC Say SGAFCSay Tyrannus tyrannus Horned Lark CG CG CG Eremophila alpestris Purple Martin LRWG LWG Progne subis Tree Swallow LWFsG LWFsG Tachycineta bicolor Northern Rough-winged Swallow LWFsG LWG Stelgidopteryx serripennis Bank Swallow LWG LWG Riparia riparia Cliff Swallow LWG,el LWG Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Bam Swallow CRWLGS CRWLGS Hirundo rustica Blue Jay R F Fs S C Say RFFs S C Say RFFs S C Say Cyanoeitta eristata American Crow All All All Corvus braehyrhynehos Black-capped Chickadee F S RFs Say F S R Fs Say F S R Fs Say Poecile atrieapillus Tufted Titmouse FR Fs Say FR Fs Say FRFs Say Baeolophus bieolor Red-breasted Nuthatch R FR Sitta canadensis White-breasted Nuthatch F R Fs Say FRFs Say FRFs Say Sitta carolinensis 70 Table 11. Continued Species'·2 Breeding3•6 ., Winter'·6 Migrant,·6 Brown Creeper. ST Fs (r) FFsR FFsR Certhia americana Carolina Wren RFFs S Say RFFs S Say RFFs S Say Thryothorus ludovicianus Bewick's Wren· SE RS Thryomanes bewickii House Wren RFS Say RFS Say Troglodytes aedon Winter Wren FFsW FFsW Troglodytes troglodytes Sedge Wren WG WG Cistothorus platensis Marsh Wren W W Cistothorus palustris Golden-crowned Kinglet FFs RSay FFsRSay Regulus satrapa Ruby-crowned Kinglet F S Say Regulus calendula Blue-gray Gnatcatcher FFs S Say FFs S Say Polioptila caerulea Eastern Bluebird CGR S Say S FRC Say S FC GR Say Sialia sialis Veery - ST FFs F Fs R Say Catharusfuscescens Gray-cheeked Thrush FFsR Say Catharus minimus Swainson's Thrush F S RFs Say Catharus ustulatus Hermit Thrush S FRFs Say S FRFs Say Catharus guttatus Wood Thrush F FRFs Say Hylocichla mustelina American Robin R S F Fs Say R S F Fs Say RS FFsC G Say Turdus migratorius Gray Catbird S Fs R Say S Fs R Say Dumetella carolinensis Northern Mockingbird RS'c) RS RS Mimus polyglottos Brown Thrasher S RCGSay S RC Say Toxostoma rufum American Pipit CW Anthus rubescens Cedar Waxwing R S FFs Say RS FFsSay R S FFsSay Bombycilla cedrorum 71 ------ Table 11. Continued Species l. 2 Breeding'·6.7 Winter'·6 Migrant,·6 Northern Shrike GCS Lanius excubitor Loggerhead Shrike - ST GSCC') GSC GSC Lanius ludovicianus * European Starling RCFFs Say RC RC Stumus vulgaris White-eyed Vireo S Fs Say S Fs Say Vireo griseus Bell's Vireo SG Vireo bellii Blue-headed Vireo FFs Say Vireo solitarius Yellow-throated Vireo FFs FFsR Vireo flavifrons Warbling Vireo S R Fs Say S RFFs Say Vireo gilvus Philadelphia Vireo S FRSav Vireo philadelphicus Red-eyed Vireo F Fs Say FFs S R Say Vireo olivaceus Blue-winged Warbler S S FRSav Fs Vermivora pinus Golden-winged Warbler S C,) F S FsRSav Vermivora chrysoptera Tennessee Warbler FRS Fs Say Vermivora peregrina Orange-crowned Warbler SF R Say Fs Vermivora celata Nashville Warbler S FR SavFs Vermivora ruficapilla Northern Panda FFsR Say Parula americana Yellow Warbler SW S WRSavFs Dendraica petechia Chestnut-sided Warbler S C,) SF Fs R Say Dendroica pensylvanica Magnolia Warbler F S RFsSav Dendroica magnolia Cape May Warbler RFFsSav Dendroica tigrina Black-throated Blue Warbler FRFsSav Dendraica caerulescens Yellow-romped Warbler FFs Say F S R Fs Say Dendroica coronata 72 Table 11. Continued Species'" Breeding'·'·7 Winter'" Migrant'" Black-throated Green Warbler FRFs Say Dendroica virens Blackbumian Warbler F Fs R Say Dendroica fasca Yellow-throated Warbler FFs Dendroica dominica Pine Warbler FFs SayR Dendroica pinas Prairie Warbler S Dendroica disc%r Palm Warbler Fs S F R W G Say C Dendroica pa/maram Bay-breasted Warbler FRFs S Say Dendroica castanea Blackpoll Warbler F Fs R S Say Dendroica striata Cerulean Warbler F Fs '" FFs RSay Dendroica cera/ea Black-and-white Warbler F'" FRFs Say S Mnioti/ta varia American Redstart Fs FFs S RSay Setophaga ratici/la Prothonotary Warbler Fstr) Fs Protonotaria citrea Wonn-eating Warbler F He/mitheros vermivoras Oyenbird F FRS Say Seiaras aurocapillas Northem Waterthrush FsR Seiurus noveboracensis Louisiana Waterthrush F FFs Seiarlls motaci/la Kentucky Warbler F (rl F Say Fs Oporornis formosus Connecticut Warbler SFFs Say R Oporornis agi/is Mourning Warbler Fs S ", SF Fs Say R Oporornis philadelphia Common Yellowthroat GCWS RSay GCWS RSay Geoth/ypis trichas Hooded Warbler F(r) FR Wi/sonia citrina Wilson's Warbler S FFsRSay Wi/sonia pusil/a 73 Table 11. Continued Speciesl.2 Breeding"6,, Winter',6 Migrant',6 Canada Warbler FS(') F Fs S R Say Wilsonia canadensis Yellow-breasted Chat S S Say Icteria virens Summer Tanager F Say (,j FSavR Piranga rubra Scarlet Tanager F Fs Say FFs Say R Piranga olivacea Northern Cardinal RFFsS C Say RFFs S C Say RFFs S C Say Cardinalis cardinalis Rose-breasted Grosbeak F Fs Say S FFs RS Say Pheucticus ludovicianus Blue Grosbeak Say S Guiraca caerulea Indigo Bunting FFs S Say FFs S C Say Passerina cyanea Dickcissel GC GC Spiza americana Eastern Towhee SF SF SFFsR Pipilo erythrophthalmus American Tree Sparrow SGCR WSav SGCRWSav Spizella arborea Chipping Sparrow RFSav RF Say GS Spizella passerina Clay-colored Sparrow S Spizella pallida Field Sparrow S GC Say SGWSav SGCWSav Spizella pusilla Vesper Sparrow CG CG Pooecetes gramineus Lark Sparrow SCG Chondestes grammacus Savannah Sparrow G G GCW Passerculus sandwichensis Grasshopper Sparrow G G Ammodramus savannarum Henslow's Sparrow - SE G(r) G Ammodramus henslowii Le Conte's Sparrow GW Ammodramus leconteii Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow W Ammodramus nelsoni Fox Sparrow S FsF S Fs F R Say Passerella iliaca 74 Table 11, Continued Species'" Breeding"'" Winter',6 Migrant,,6 Song Sparrow RSWCG RSWCG RSWCG Melospiza melodia Lincoln's Sparrow SWFsR Melospiza lincolnii Swamp Sparrow W WFsSG SWFsG Melospiza georgiana White-throated Sparrow R S FFs Say RS FFsSay Zonotrichia albicollis White-crowned Sparrow SRG SRG Zonotrichia leucophrys Dark-eyed Junco R S FFsGSayC R SF Fs G Say C Junco hyemalis Lapland Longspur CG CG Calcarius lapponicus Smith's Longspur CG Calcarius pictus Snow Bunting CG Plectrophenax nivalis Bobolink G GW Dolichonyx oryzivorus Red-winged Blackbird WCRGS Say CGFFs WCRGS Say Agelaius phoeniceus Eastern Meadowlark GC GC GC Sturnella magna Western Meadowlark GC'" GC Sturnella neglecta Yellow-headed Blackbird - SE W(rJ W Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus Rusty Blackbird CFFs RCFsW Euphagus carolinus Brewer's Blackbird C G (c) CG Euphagus cyanocephalus Common Grackle RWFsF CRFFs RFFsC Say Quiscalus quiscula Brown-headed Cowbird All CRFFs All Molothrus ater Orchard Oriole S RWSav S R WFFsSav Icterus spurius Baltimore Oriole R FFs S Say FFs RS Say Icterus galbula Purple Finch FFsR FFs R S Say Carpodacus purpureus * House Finch RS RS F Fs R S Say Carpodacus mexicanus 75 Table 11. Continued Species 1.2 Breeding'·6.? Winter'·6 Migrant,·6 Red Crossbill FR FR Loxia curvirostra White-winged Crossbill FR FR Loxia leucoptera Common Redpoll GSRF Carduelis flammea Pine Siskin RSF RSF Carduelis pinus American Goldfinch SRG S RGFFsSav S RGFFsSav Carduelis tristis Evening Grosbeak RFFs RFFs Coccothraustes vespertinus * House Sparrow RC RC RC Passer domesticus I Bold type indicates: state threatened - ST, state endangered - SE, and/or federally endangered - FE. 2 * designates an introduced species. 3 Breeding:::;; species that currently or historically have bred in the area. 4 Winter:::;; species present from December through February. , Migrant = species present during the March-May and late August-November periods. , The following habitat codes are used: L == Lakes, ponds. impoundments, rivers, larger streams C = Crops G = Grassland (inlcuding pasture and hayfield) W = Wetland (seasonally flooded, open habitats such as marshes and sedge meadows) Fs = Forested swamp (forested wetland, including wet floodplain forest) Say = Savannah F = Upland and mesic forest R = Residential areas (including urban centers and the "urban forest") S = Shrublands (open habitats dominated by shrubs, including old fields). 7 (r) designates a species that is currently a rare and local breeder and may be locally extirpated. Forest Most of the remaining forest habitat is found along water including rivers, around lakes, and adjacent to wetland complexes (Figure 6). Regularly Occuring Species Typical species - Typical breeding species of forest habitats in the UDPAA include Cooper's Hawk (rare but increasing), Wild Turkey (in the process of being reintroduced), Yellow-billed Cuckoo (erratic), Great Homed Owl, Barred Owl, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue Jay, Black 76 capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren (population fluctuates depending upon winter weather), House Wren, Veery, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Louisiana Waterthrush, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, and Brown-headed Cowbird. Rarer forest species that also nest within the UDPAA include Broad-winged Hawk, Cerulean Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Whip poor-will, Blue-gray Gnatcher, and Ovenbird, Kentucky Warbler (also a southern species nesting occasionally at Ryerson), Hooded Warbler (mostly a southern species) and Baltimore Oriole (mostly in more open forests). There are few stands of pine in this area. Pines are not native to the UDPAA, and pine plantations have unusual bird communities. In addition to more generalized forest species, pine plantations in central Illinois occasionally attract nesting Long-eared Owls (SE) [also in winter], Solitary Vireos, Pine Siskins, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Golden crowned Kinglets, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Yellow-throated Warblers, and Black throated Green Warblers. Chipping Sparrows are often the most abundant species nesting in pine plantations. In winter, pines attract winter finches (e.g., crossbills, Pine Siskin), Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, and Red-breasted Nuthatches. Threatened and endangered species - Several state threatened (ST) and endangered (SE) species may occur in forests in the area. Brown Creepers (ST), may occur in forested wetlands (see below). Veeries (ST) appear to nest in some woodlots in the area, especially Ryerson and MacArthur Woods. Exotic species - European Starlings were introduced into the U.S. in 1890-1891 and spread to Illinois by 1922 (Bohlen and Zimmerman 1989). They are now one of the most abundant species in Illinois and may be detrimental to native species because they complete,with residents for nesting cavities, especially in smaller woodlots. Population Dynamics and Management Many bird species are declining across part or all' of their breeding range in the Midwest (Peterjohn et al. 1994). The causes of such changes are likely related to problems with reproduction in highly fragmented landscapes. The primary factors controlling productivity of birds in the UDPAA are predation on eggs or young in nest and brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds. Cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other species, and often destroy one of the hosts eggs when they lay their own. Cowbird young also grow faster than their host young and out-compete them for food, often leading to the starvation of the host young. Rates of nest predation and brood parasitism generally increase as a habitat becomes more fragmented, creating more feeding habitat for cowbirds and travel corridors for mammalian predators, such as raccoons, that often inhabit the edges of open country (Robinson et aI. 1995). Given the relatively small size of most forest tracts, it is likely that levels of nest predation and brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds are extremely high (Robinson et al. 1995). In general, nest predation rates in Illinois forests of less than 500 acres average 70-90% and parasitism 77 levels for cowbird hosts average 70-80%. These levels are so high that woodlots in this region are likely to be population sinks (Brawn and Robinson 1996) in which reproduction is far below rates necessary to sustain regional populations. Urban developments may increase abundance of some predators. Remarkably, in spite of low productivity, many species nest commonly in regional woodlots and are not obviously declining. This strongly suggests that their populations are being rescued by the settlement of individuals from much larger forest tracts outside of the region, or even outside of the state (Brawn and Robinson 1996). Therefore, to understand the population dynamics of breeding forest birds, it is necessary to monitor both population size and nesting success. Previous research on this subject in Illinois (Robinson et aI., in press) suggests that the best candidates for forest restoration are tracts that are, or can be 500 acres or larger. Few forests in the UDPAA are large enough to escape extreme levels of parasitism and predation. As will be described below, savanna restoration may be the best strategy for many sites, given the high value of oaks to migrant birds (Graber and Graber 1983) and the fact that most forest tracts are too small to have anything but maximal rates of nest predation and brood parasitism. The north south orientation of the wooded Des Plaines floodplain may lead to intensive use by migrating forest songbirds. Wetland Although historically wetlands accounted for considerably more of the land in the UDPAA (wet prairie), they only cover 5.5% of the area today (Table 2, Figure 8). In spite of the loss of wetlands, this habitat does still represent the most significant avian habitat in the region, especially the Deer LakelRedwing slough complex, and provides valuable habitat to a rich assemblage of bird species. Regularly Occuring Species Typical species - In the wetland habitats of the UDPAA, typical species include the Pied billed Grebe (ST), Great Blue Heron, Great Egret (ST), Green Heron, Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, Killdeer, American Woodcock, Belted Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker [forested], Northern Flicker [forested], Acadian Flycatcher [forested], Willow Flycatcher [shrubby], Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Sedge Wren, Marsh Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher [forested], Veery [forested], Gray Catbird [shrubby], Warbling Vireo [forested], Yellow Warbler [shrubby], Cerulean Warbler [forested], American Redstart [forested], Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, and Baltimore Oriole. Rarer species might include the Blue-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser [forested], Spotted Sandpiper, and Common Snipe. Alder Flycatchers may occasionally breed along the edges of bogs. 78 Threatened and endangered species - Several state threatened and endangered species occur in the wetland habitats of the UDPAA. There are records of breeding Pied-billed Grebes (ST), Double-crested Cormorants (ST), American Bittern (SE), Least Bitterns (SE), Great Egrets (ST), Northern Harrier (SE), Red-shouldered Hawks (SE), King Rail (ST), Common Moorhen (ST), Sandhill Crane (SE), Forster's Tern (SE), Black Tern (SE), Marsh Wren (ST), and Yellow-headed Blackbird (ST). Notable sites for these species include Redwing Slough-Deer Lake as well as numerous other small marshes. Protection of remaining wetlands, especially marshes, is an extremely high priority for this area. Exotic species - The only non-native wetland species is the Mute Swan, which is rare. Population Dynamics and Management Currently, the main problem for birds inhabiting wetlands is habitat loss and suburban encroachment. Some forested wetland species likely suffer from the same problems with fragmentation that affect forest species (cowbird parasitism and nest predation). We know little, however, about the effects of fragmentation on other wetlands habitats. In fact, there have been no published studies of the population dynamics and nesting success of wetland birds in the region. Potentially, wetland species are more resistant to fragmentation, which may make this habitat a good target for conservation efforts in this landscape. Wetland habitats are also used heavily by migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, rails, and long-legged waders (herons, bitterns, and egrets). These habitats therefore have the potential to be important stopover sites for birds during migration. Wetland conservation should be the highest priority in the region for birds for reasons outlined above. Savanna Savanna habitats were once widespread in the Midwest. However, in recent decades as fire has become effectively suppressed, savanna habitats have been greatly altered through vegetative change. In addition to these changes, much of the savanna area has been lost to development and agriculture. As a result of these factors, savannas have become one of the rarest plant communties in the region (see section on "Savannas" in the Natural Vegetation Communities chapter of this report). Regularly Occuring Species Typical species - Savannas share many species with forest habitats. Perhaps the most typical species of savannas would be: Whip-poor-will, Red-headed Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Blue Jay, House Wren, American Robin, Eastern Bluebird, Yellow-throated Vireo, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, American Goldfinch, Field Sparrow, and Chipping Sparrow. Other forest species remain common in savannas, including the Great Horned Owl, Northern Flicker, 79 Red-bellied, Downy, and Hairy woodpeckers, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Brown-headed Cowbird, Scarlet Tanager, and Northern Cardina!. The open, parklike structure of some savannas also attracts some species that are more characteristic of grassland habitats, such as the Red-tailed Hawk. For many of these species, Illinois contains a significance portion of their global population. Threatenend and endangered species - None of the species inhabiting savannas in this area are threatened or endangered, although the Bam Owl (SE) may have been a bird of very open savannas. Veeries (ST) sometimes nest locally in savannah habitats (Hickman and Neal, 1982, 1983). Exotic species - European Starlings are now one of the most abundant species in Illinois, and they are detrimental to native savanna species because they complete with resident birds (especially woodpeckers) for nesting cavities. Population dynamics and Mangement Savannas may be associated with high levels of cowbird abundance and parasitism levels, although some species may have higher nesting success in savanna restorations than in unburned forest (J.D. Brawn, unpub!. data). Many of the species that are most abundant in savannas are resistant to cowbids (e.g., cavity nesters, American Robins, Baltimore Orioles). Unlike many forest birds, these species are able to recognize cowbird eggs and either eject them from their nests or rebuild the nests over them (Rothstein and Robinson 1994). A detailed study of the effects of savanna restoration on bird populations, ecology, and nesting success is underway in adjacent watersheds (1.D. Brawn, unpub!. data). This study should be fully applicable to savannas in the UDPAA. Savannas also appear to be very favorable habitat for migrants. The heavy use of oaks by spring migrants (Graber and Graber 1983) and by mast-consuming species suggests that savanna restoration should be a high priority for birds in this region. Prairie/Grassland Native prairie habitat is rare in the UDPAA (see chapter on "Natural Vegetation communities"), however, many bird species that historically lived in prairies are also able to live in grassland habitat such as hay fields and sometimes pastures. These habitats are also relatively uncommon in the UDPAA. There are only about 19,987 acres of grassland in the basin (11 % of the land area) (Table 2, Figure 7). Although patches of available grassland habitat in the UDPAA are small, they have considerable potential for restoration and contain many typical grassland species. Pastures in the area are mostly heavily grazed and little-used by grassland birds. They are also favored sites for foraging Brown-headed Cowbirds. 80 Regularly Occuring Species Typical species - In the UDPAA, typical species in these habitats include a subset of those founa on larger grasslands throughout the state: Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Northern Bobwhite, Ring-necked Pheasant, Eastern' Kingbird, Willow Flycatcher [shrubs], Horned Lark [recently burned], Barn Swallow, Brown Thrasher [shrubs], Sedge Wren, Cornmon Yellowthroat, Eastern Meadowlark, Red-winged Blackbird, Dickcissel, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Bobolink, and American Goldfinch, See Table II for a more complete list of grassland species found in the Upper Des Plaines region. Threatened and endangered species - Currently, Henslow's Sparrow (SE) is the only endangered grassland species known to breed in the area. Exotic species - Two introduced species are found in the grasslands of the UDPAA. The Ring-necked Pheasant, which is native to Asia, was first released in Illinois in about 1890 (Bohlen and Zimmerman 1989) and they continue to be released. European Starlings feed in grasslands following grazing, mowing, or burning. Population Dynamics and Management Certain species, such as the Grasshopper Sparrow and Bobolink, have declined precipitously as grasslands have been converted to row crops (Herkert 1991). Currently, prairie remnants and other grassland habitats are probably too small to sustain regular breeding populations and successful nesting of most prairie species. For example, The Short-eared Owl is highly area-sensitive and will require larger grasslands than exist currently to maintain a regular breeding population. Records of Henslow's Sparrows are old; this species is also area-sensitive and requires taller, ranker grass that has not recently been burned (Herkert 1994). King Rails (ST) and Northern Harriers (SE) would also be good candidates for re-establishment in restored grasslands. Upland Sandpipers (ST) nest in nearby areas, but they require mowing, grazing, or burning to keep the grass short. Upland Sandpipers are also area-sensitive and likely require larger grassland areas than are currently available. Other rare or locally extirpated species that would be likely to increase rapidly if grasslands were restored include Sedge Wren, Loggerhead Shrike CST), Bobolink, and Brewer's Blackbird. Because of the short supply of available grassland, prairie restoration and enhancement will be needed to attract grassland birds. Removal of woody vegetation may also be beneficial. Shrubland species that would be lost are of little or no regional concern because they have large global populations and are common throughout Illinois (e.g., Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, House Wren). Perhaps the best way to maintain desired shrubland birds (Bell's Vireo, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat) would be to allow willow thickets to grow in low, wet areas that would not bum in most areas. Natural hazel thickets may also have provided habitat for these species historically. The guidelines provided by Herkert et a I. (1993) for grassland 81 management should be followed. In particular, dense, tall stands of prairie grasses are rarely used by grassland birds and should be avoided. Migrant birds use grasslands as stopover habitat, especially Smith's and Lapland Longspurs, various rails, bitterns, American Golden Plovers, Pectoral Sandpipers and Buff-breasted Sandpipers. Birds of Lakes, Ponds, Impoundments, Creeks, and Rivers There are several natural lakes or ponds in the UDPAA (see section on Aquatic Biota), as well as a number of impoundments. Open water accounts for 1.6% of the area (Table 2, Figure 9). The Des Plaines River has been greatly altered by human activities and suffers from several forms of degradation. However, it is still likely that the river and its tributaries have some associated species. There are no threatened or endangerd species in the UDPAA that rely exclusively on these natural communities. Regularly Occuring Species Typical species - Spotted Sandpipers may occasionally breed around lakes, ponds, and impoundments. The state endangered Forster's Tern has bred at the Fourth Lake natural area (Figure 10) Common Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Song Sparrows likely nest along ponds, especially those with gradual shorelines and some emergent vegetation (e.g., cat-tails) along the edge. Barn Swallows, Cliff Swallow, Purple Martins, and Tree Swallows forage over the open-water habitats as long as nest sites are available. Green Herons often nest along ponds lined with dense, woody vegetation. Among the species found along creeks and rivers are the following: Canada Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck [forested], Cooper's Hawk [forested corridors], Great Blue Heron, Green Heron [forested], Killdeer, Great Horned Owl [forested], Barred Owl [forested], Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Phoebe [especially near bridges], Barn Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, House Wren [in woody debris], Cedar Waxwing, Warbling Vireo [woody corridors, especially cottonwoods and willows], Yellow Warbler [shrubby corridors], Common Yellowthroat [grassy and shrubby streamsides], Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole [woody corridors], Indigo Bunting, and Song Sparrow [shrubby steamsides]. Exotic species - The Mute Swan is the only non-native species that would be likely to occur in the area. Although they are rare in Illinois, some may visit local ponds. Population Dynamics and Restoration One of the most important roles of lakes, ponds, and impoundments is as resting habitat for migrating waterbirds. These open-water habitats are often the only deepwater habitat 82 available for loons, grebes, scaup, Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, and mergansers, all of which dive to catch food. Similarly, gulls and terns often forage over open water during migration. At low water, the edges of lakes are also used by shorebirds, herons, and egrets. All species of swallows use open-water for foraging, especially during cold weather. A comparative study of the use of various ponds, lakes, and impoundment by migrating birds might help improve their design and management, but probably the most useful way to enhance these habitats is by increasing the amount of emergent vegetation along their edges. This essentially involves creating shallow wetlands along the edges of open water. Also, colonies of waterbirds nesting along the edges of lakes should be protected from disturbances. Nesting platforms could attract Double-crested Cormorants and Ospreys. We lack data on populations and nesting success of birds in riparian corridors of varying widths and of their use by migrants. However, increasing the amount of woody riparian corridor habitat should enhance populations of many species, and would help restore natural hydrology. Restoring the hydrology would, in turn, improve wetland habitat in the floodplain, both in woody backwaters and in oxbows (see above). It would also be interesting to measure the movements of migrants along corridors to determine if they act as flyways. Cultural Habitats: Cropland Agricultural areas generally provide poor habitat for most birds - plant diversity in cropland is much lower than in the original habitats. However, it is still important to consider the role of agricultural habitats for supporting bird populations. In the UDPAA 10.8% of the land has been usurped for crop production (Table 2, Figure 4). There are no threatened or endangered species that rely exclusively on cropland. Regularly Occuring Species Typical species - Cropland bird communities in the UDPAA have the same bird species that are common statewide in this structurally simple habitat: Mallard, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Ring-necked Pheasant, Killdeer, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Great Horned Owl, Eastern Phoebe [farmsteads], Horned Lark, Barn Swallow, American Crow, Eastern Bluebird (where nest boxes are provided), Loggerhead Shrike (ST), European Starlings, House Sparrow, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Vesper Sparrow, and Field Sparrow. Some species characteristic of recently burned and heavily grazed, dry grasslands have adapted to croplands, including the Horned Lark, Vesper Sparrow, and Loggerhead Shrike (ST). The shrike, however, also requires spiny hedgerows for nesting; it is now absent from the area. Intensively farmed areas offer little in the way of stopover habitat except around farmsteads and wet fields in the spring for shorebirds. 83 Exotic species - Introduced species thrive in the agricultural habitats of the UDPAA. In fact, four of the most abundant species in the cropland of the UDPAA, Ring-necked Pheasant, Rock Dove, European Starling and House Sparrow, were all introduced from Europe or Asia. Population Dynamics and Management Warner (1994) documented the low populations and extremely low nesting success of birds in Ford County, an area of very intensive agriculture. On the other hand, increasing grassy cover along roadsides, drainage ditches, and around farmsteads can substantially increase grassland bird habitat. Within an agricultural landscape, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) can also benefit cropland birds by providing nesting cover and attracting such species as Henslow's, Grasshopper, and Savannah sparrows. Cultural Habitat: Successional Fields Successional habitats, such as abandoned fields and pastures, are relatively uncommon in the UDPAA. These habitats, which are often dominated by non-native plant species of shrubs and vines, may be structurally similar to native successional habitats that· historically occurred along the edges of meandering rivers or in large treefall gaps. Such habitats usually have dense, protective cover and are often rich in fruit producing plants, and therefore offer rich habitat for breeding and migrating birds. However, given the scarcity of natural shrublands in the Midwest, we know little about natural shrublands. Nonetheless, many local species that use shrubby vegetation now depend almost entirely on anthropogenic disturbances to set back succession. No threatened or endangered species are know to depend entirely on successional habitats in the UDPAA. Regularly Occuring Species Typical species - Successional habitats dominated by forbs, shrubs, and saplings offer a rich habitat for many breeding birds. Typical species include Northern Bobwhite, Ring necked Pheasant, American Woodcock (wet areas), Mourning Dove, Black-billed Cuckoo, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Kingbird, Willow Flycatcher [wet thickets], Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, House Wren, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, American Robin, Eastern Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, White-eyed Vireo [rare this far north], Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Cardinal, Rose breasted Grosbeak [older thickets], Indigo Bunting, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow, and Song Sparrow. Successional habitats add greatly to local diversity, although only a few of these species have nationally declining populations (Yellow-breasted Chat, Field Sparrow, Blue-winged Warbler). 84 Exotic species - Most species found in successional habitats are native, although Ring necked Pheasants use early successional fields, and House Finches breed in shrubbery. Population Dynamics and Management Successional habitats add greatly to local diversity and at least a few species that are declining nationally and have few or no remaining natural habitats (e.g., Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat), or are rare in Illinois (e.g., Bell's Vireo, Lark Sparrow), use this habitat extensively. For some of these species, Illinois may contain a significant portion oftheir global population (e.g., Orchard Oriole, Bell's Vireo). For these reasons, maintaining successional vegetation may be an important part of a conservation strategy in the UDPAA. Shrubland birds are presently the object of intensive study in another part of the state (S.K. Robinson, E.J. Heske, and J.D. Brawn, in progress). The information gathered from this study will help land managers design management strategies that will benefit both game and nongame species and provide relatively stable habitat for some declining species. Nest predation rates in successional fields are very high for most, but not all species, whereas brood parasitism levels are low for all but a few species. Most species have adaptations that enable them to cope with nest predation (aggressive nest defense, rapid renesting following losses of nests to predators, a long nesting season allowing many nesting attempts) and cowbird parasitism (abandonment of parasitized nests, inappropriate diet for cowbird nestlings, ejection of cowbird eggs, long or late nesting season that continues after cowbirds stop parasitizing nests in ntid-July). As a result, most species do not appear to be in real trouble. The exceptions mostly include neotropical migrants that have a short breeding season and are parasitized (Yellow breasted Chat, Orchard Oriole). It appears that even relatively small shrublands «5 acres) can provide habitat for many shrubland species because of their resistance to parasitism and nest predation. In addition to use during the breeding season, shrublands are very heavily used by migrating species, especially in habitats ntingled with scattered trees. Shrubland preferring ntigrants include, Northern Saw-whet Owl [mainly in evergreens], Yellow bellied Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Philadelphia Vireo, Golden winged Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Canada Warbler, and Lincoln's Sparrow. Shrubland habitats therefore provide real benefits to migrant birds and greatly increase local biodiversity. Cultural Habitats: Developed Land Residential and urban areas represent 57.2% of the UDPAA (Table 2, Figure 5). These areas, scattered with lawns, parks, and other manicured vegetation, offer suitable breeding habitat for relatively few bird species. 85 Regularly Occuring Species Typical species - Typical breeding species include Red-tailed Hawk [in more sparsely inhabited areas], American Kestrel [especially farmsteads], Killdeer, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Eastern Screech-owl, Great Homed Owl, Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker [urban forests], Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, Barn SW,allow, Purple Martin, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, American Robin Eastern Bluebird [farmsteads], European Starling, Warbling Vireo, Common Yellowthroat, House Sparrow, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Chipping Sparrow, and Song Sparrow. Developed lands contain an unusual mix of species that can use ornamental shrubs (e.g., Northern Cardinal and Song Sparrow), shade trees (e.g., Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Wood-Pewee), short mowed grass (e.g., American Robin, Common Grackle, Northern Flicker, American Crow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Mourning and Rock doves, European Starling, and Chipping Sparrow), and can nest safely in human structures (e.g., American Kestrel, Killdeer [roofs, roads], Common Nighthawk [roofs], Chimney Swift, Eastern Phoebe, Barn Swallow, Purple Martin, House and Carolina Wrens, American Robin, Eastern Bluebird, European Starling, House Sparrow and House Finch). This community has no parallel in the natural world. Threatened and endangered species - There are no threatened or endangered species found in residential or urban areas other than the Loggerhead Shrike (ST), which often forages in mowed grass of rural farmsteads. Exotic species - Many species in developed areas are introduced. Huge populations of European Starlings, House Sparrows, Rock Doves, and House Finches compete with native species for nest sites and food at bird feeders. House Finches are native to the western United States but after a population was released on Long Island in the 1940s, they spread west from New York and are now common in the urban and rural areas of Illinois. Monk Parakeets, Eurasian Collared Doves, and Ringed Turtle Doves are all rare established nesters in some residential and urban areas. Population Dynamics and Management High populations of predatory birds, domestic cats, and other mammalian predators may make it difficult for many species that build open-cup nests in accessible locations to nest successfully. However, more data are needed because nesting success of species of developed areas has not been systematically studied. Such studies could lead to recommendations for enhancing populations of the native species that have adapted to human developments. 86 ------_._ Although not well suited to support many native breeding birds, developed land, such as tree-lined residential areas, can be very important for migrating landbirds. These species make heavy use of shade trees in developed areas and, when available, also use shrubs. Typical migrants of "urban forests" include: Cooper's and Sharp-shinned hawks [both forage at bird feeders], Common Nighthawk, Ruby-throated Hummingbird [especially at feeders], Northern Flicker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch [conifers], Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing, Red-eyed Vireo, Tennessee Warbler, Cape May Warbler [conifers], Black throated Green Warbler, B1ackburnian Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, American Redstart, Rusty Blackbird, Evening Grosbeak [feeders], Purple Finch [feeders], Pine Siskin [feeders, conifers], American Goldfinch [feeders], Eastern Towhee [feeders], Dark-eyed Junco [feeders], American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, and White throated Sparrow. Management Recommendations For breeding birds, we recommend the following stategies for improving habitats: Forests - Most forest sites in the UDPAA are small and have little potential to be enlarged sufficiently to create tracts large enough to avoid extremely high levels of nest predation and brood parasitism. For these areas, restoration of native plant communities coupled with judicious consideration of the needs of migrant birds (some shrubby areas and oak trees) might be the best management strategy. Wetlands - The UDPAA contains several rich wetland bird communities and a potential migration corridor. Wetland conservation should clearly be ofthe highest priority in the UDPAA because of relatively large populations of many state threatened and endangered species. Grassland restoration, especially around existing wetlands, would provide habitat for declining grassland birds, help buffer wetlands from surrounding development, and provide nesting habitat for many wetland species. Similarly, wooded buffer strips around wetlands can perform some of the same functions. This coordianted management of wetland habitats, especially large wetlands, or complexes of nearby smaller wetlands, offers the best hope for sustaining populations of endangered and threatened species. Grasslands - Where possible, grasslands should be at least 100 acres, should be burned or mowed on a schedule that leaves some areas unmanaged for at least three years, and should contain small wetlands. Woody vegetation should be kept to a minimum. Shrublands - These habitats can be managed simultaneously for game and nongame birds. 87 Developed and agricultural areas - Developed areas, especially urban forest and parks, can be managed to improve habitat by encouraging oaks and leaving shrubby areas for migrants. Agricultural areas benefit from increased cover provided by CRP fields, shrub lined drainage ditches, and unmowed roadsides. Any plantings that add cover and nest sites should be encouraged, especially to provide habitat during the nonbreeding season. 88 Mammals Introduction Infonnation in this section has been compiled primarily from range maps and known records in Hoffmeister (1989), and the lllinois Natural Heritage Database (Illinois Department of Natural Resources 1997). Taxonomy follows Wilson and Reeder (1993). Mammal species known or likely to occur in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area (UDPAA) are listed in Table 12. The 43 species in this table represent 72% of the approximately 60 mammal species that currently occur in Illinois (Hoffmeister 1989). The population status of these species in the UDPAA is unknown; therefore, designations in Table 12 are projections based on their status in other parts of lllinois. Of the nine mammal species listed as threatened and endangered in Illinois (lllinois Endangered Species Protection Board 1994), none has been recorded within the UDPAA (Illinois Department of Natural Resources 1997). Due to the large proportion of this area that is urban land, and the lack of records of threatened or endangered species, the UDPAA is not likely to figure importantly as habitat for listed Illinois mammals. Forest Typical Species Mammal species known or likely to occur in the UDPAA that are restricted to forested habitats include the hoary bat, silver-haired bat, eastern chipmunk, gray and fox squirrels, southern flying squirrel, woodland vole, and gray fox. Species that are primarily associated with forested habitats but also occur in other habitats include the pygmy shrew, red bat, white-footed mouse, and raccoon. Other species of bats use forested habitats extensively, although many roost under bridges or in buildings. Some species, such as the eastern cottontail, woodchuck, and white-tailed deer, require wooded habitat at certain times of the year or specialize in the use of forest edges. Additional habitat generalists typically found in forests in the UDPAA are listed in Table 12. Most species of mammals associated with forests are not restricted to one type of forest (i.e., upland or floodplain) and use a variety of forest types seasonally or opportunistically. However, species that hibernate (woodchucks, eastern chipmunks) or are primarily fossorial (woodland voles) need well-drained, uninundated soils. Pygmy shrews are associated with woody habitat that contains fallen and rotting logs or other forest-floor litter (Hoffmeister 1989). Fox squirrels are more strongly associated with upland forests, but gray squirrels can be abundant in both upland and floodplain forests. 89 Table 12. List of mammal species known or likely to occur in the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area1. Order Common name' Scientific Name Habitat' Population status,,5 Marsupials Didelphimorphia Virginia opossum Didelphis virginiana W,G,F C Insectivores ' Insectivora masked shrew Sorex cinereus W, G, F (mesic) C pygmy shrew Sorex hoyi W, G, F (mesic)R? northern short-tailed shrew Blarina brevicauda W,G,F C least shrew Cryptotis parva G U? eastern mole Scalopus aquaticus G,F C Bats Chiroptera little brown bat Myotis lucifugus F, caves, buildings C northern long-eared bat Myotis septentrionalis F, caves, buildings C silver-haired bat Lasionycteris noctivagans F, caves (hibernation) U? eastern pipistrelle Pipistrellus subflavus F, caves, buildings U? big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus F, caves, buildings C red bat Lasiurus borealis F C hoary bat Lasiurus cinereus F U? evening bat Nycticeius humeralis F, buildings R? Rabbits Lagomorpha eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus G,F C Rodents Rodentia eastern chipmunk Tamias striatus F C woodchuck Marmota monax G, F (edges) C thirteen-lined ground squirrel Spermophilus tridecemlineatus G C Franklin's ground squirrel Spermophilus franklinii G U? gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis F, urban C fox squirrel Sciurus niger F C southern flying squirrel Glaucomys volans F C beaver Castor canadensis W C western harvest mouse Reithrodontomys megalotis G C deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatus G C white-footed mouse Peromyscusleucopus W, G, F (mostly F) C meadow vole Microtus pennsylvanicus G C prairie vole Microtus ochrogaster G C woodland vole Microtus pinetorum F U? muskrat Ondatra zibethicus W C * Norway rat Rattus norvegicus buildings C * house mouse Mus musculus G, buildings C meadow jumping mouse Znpus hudsonius W,G,F U? Carnivores Carnivora coyote Canis latrans W,G,F C red fox Vulpes vulpes W,G,F C gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus F U? raccoon Procyon lotor W,G,F C 90 Table 12. Continued Order Common name' Scientific Name Habitat' Population status'" least weasel Mustela nivalis G U? long-tailed weasel Mustelafrenata W,G,F C mink Mustela vison W, G (mostly W) C badger Taxidea taxus G U striped skunk Mephitis mephitis W,G,F C Even-toed ungulates Artiodactyla white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus W,G,F C 1 Compiled from range maps and known records reported in Hoffmeister (1989), and Illinois Natural Heritage Database (Illinois Department of Natural Resources 1997). 2 * = exotic species. 3 Habitats: W=wetland, G =grassland, F =forest. 4 Population status: C = common, U = uncommon, R = rare, ? = status uncertain. 5 Subjective estimate based on personal experience of E, J. Heske and J. E. Hofmann in Illinois), Gray squirrels require extensive tracts of forest, whereas fox squirrels can occupy open forests, woodlots, and fencerows (Hoffmeister 1989). Gray squirrels, however, also occur in many urban areas, including some in the UDPAA (e.g., Libertyville, Arlington Heights; Nixon et al. 1978). Tree squirrels, flying squirrels, and chipmunks tend to be most abundant in forests with a heavy component of mast-producing trees such as oaks and hickories. Gray fox are most abundant in upland forests, but also may be abundant in bottomland forests (Hoffmeister 1989). Raccoons are most abundant in forest tracts with proximity to water (Hoffmeister 1989). Threatened and Endangered Species There are no reports for the UDPAA of threatened and endangered species of mammals associated with forests. Because forested habitat in the UDPAA is highly fragmented, or occurs primarily as a forested corridor along the Des Plaines River that is surrounded by urban areas, it is unlikely to serve as habitat for bobcat. Recent surveys of the area did not detect Indiana bats, Myotis sodalis, and this federally endangered species appears to be absent from northern Illinois (Gardner et al. 1996). Habitat Requirements and Distribution of Rare Forest-dwelling Species Although not a listed species, the status of pygmy shrews should be of concern because they have a very limited distribution in Illinois (Hoffmeister 1989). The pygmy shrew, called the "rarest of the shrews in Illinois" (Hoffmeister 1989), has been collected recently in Cook and McHenry counties (Sliwinski 1994). This species' range includes the northeastern corner of Illinois (Jones and Birney 1988), but until recently only one specimen had been collected - near Palatine (Cook County) in 1949 (Sanborn and 91 Tibbitts 1949). The number of pygmy shrew records probably is limited because these very small mammals are not readily captured in snap traps or live traps (recent specimens were collected in pitfall traps). Throughout its range this species occupies a variety of mesic habitats with extensive ground cover, including bogs, swamps, forests, and grassland (Kurta 1995). There is insufficient information to describe its habitat preferences in Illinois. Hoffmeister (1989) states that pygmy shrews live in wooded areas or grassy places adjacent to woods, but recent records indicate that it also may be associated with sedge meadows and grasslands (Sliwinski 1994). Exotic Species The Norway rat and house mouse are the only known exotic mammals in the area. The Norway rat, in particular, is strongly associated with human structures. Both species may be found in woodlots in proximity to human structures, but neither is generally considered a forest species. These species are now so widespread that they are part of the mammalian fauna throughout the United States. Not much can be done to rectify this situation and it is not one for concern. Domestic mammals, such as house pets, frequently cause problems for wildlife. Free ranging and feral house cats (Felis sylvsetris), in particular, can have severe negative impacts on native songbirds and small mammals (Warner 1985, Coleman and Temple 1996). However, it is not clear how extensively they forage in the interiors of forests. Information Gaps Data on the population status of several forest-dwelling species are not available. Additional information on the distribution and abundance of the silver-haired bat, hoary bat, evening bat, woodland vole, and pygmy shrew would be valuable. Surveys to determine the presence of the gray fox should be conducted, especially because much of the remaining forested habitat is surrounded by urban areas that are unsuitable for this species. It is not certain that the gray fox persists in the UDPAA. Because forest habitat is fragmented and reduced in area in much of the UDPAA, it would be valuable to assess the ability of forest species to maintain viable populations and to disperse between remaining forested tracts, especially those in an urban landscape. Enhancement and Restoration Potential Protecting both upland and floodplain forested tracts and maintaining dispersal corridors, such as the forested riparian zone, along the Des Plaines River could enhance the suitability of the UDPAA as habitat for gray fox. Only about 16.9% of the UDPAA is forested, and much of this area is highly fragmented. Managing the remaining forests to maintain large snags with exfoliating bark or cavities would provide roosting habitat for forest-dwelling bats and den sites for other mammals, such as the southern flying squirrel. Allowing forest tracts to accumulate fallen and rotting logs could enhance habitat for pygmy shrews. 92 Wet/and Typical Species Mammal species occurring in the UDPAA whose life history requires wetland habitats include the beaver, muskrat, and mink. In addition, all species of bats found in the UDPAA would use wetland areas, primarily as foraging habitat. The pygmy, masked, and northern short-tailed shrews and meadow jumping mouse use wetlands extensively in addition to mesic forests or grasslands. Other habitat generalists that use wetlands are listed in Table 12. Because the same subset of mammal species found in the UDPAA is likely to be associated with lakes, ponds, impoundments, creeks, and rivers as well as marshes, bogs, and fens, this section should serve as a report on mammals in mesic habitats in general. Small mammals, such as the northern short-tailed shrew and meadow jumping mouse, may be found in mesic areas without standing water, whereas the larger mammals, such as the beaver and muskrat, require open water (still or moving) habitats. Threatened and Endangered Species There are no reports for the UDPAA of any threatened or endangered species associated with wetlands. The state-endangered river otter (Lontra canadensis) has been reported within the Kishwaukee River Assessment Area, west of the UDPAA. The upper Des Plaines River might be able to support river otters, but the lower Des Plaines River is probably too highly urbanized to provide suitable habitat. Exotics House mice occasionally can be found in wetland habitats. This species is so widespread that it is now part of the mammalian fauna throughout the United States. There is not much that can be done to alter this situation and it is not one for concern. Free ranging and feral house cats, however, can sometimes have severe impacts on native songbirds and small mammals, and they may occasionally forage in or around wetland habitats. Information Gaps Many wetlands, especially emergent wetlands, currently exist as isolated habitat patches. The ability of wetland-associated mammals to disperse between such wetlands should be examined. The distribution, habitat requirements, and abundance of the (apparently) rare pygmy shrew should be investigated. There are no records of southern bog lemmings (Synaptomys cooperi) for the northeastern part of Illinois, although this area is included in the geographic range for the species (Jones and Birney 1988). Surveys to determine the presence of bog lemmings should be conducted. Beaver have been increasing in abundance throughout the state. The status of beaver populations in the UDPAA and their impact on the physical structure of riparian systems should be evaluated. 93 Enhancement and Restoration Potential The preservation (and, if necessary, restoration) of riparian forest along the upper Des Plaines River could provide an opportunity to attract river otters to the UDPAA. Reduction of silt and chemical runoff into wetland habitats also will improve their ability to attract and support river otters. Grassland Typical Species Mammal species likely to occur in the UDPAA that are restricted to grassland include the least shrew, thirteen-lined and Franklin's ground squirrels, western harvest mouse, deer mouse, meadow vole, prairie vole, least weasel, and badger. Other species strongly associated with grasslands include the masked shrew, northern short-tailed shrew, eastern cottontail, woodchuck, and meadow jumping mouse. Additional species that use grasslands include the habitat generalists listed in Table 12. Most grassland species of mammals are not restricted to native or undisturbed grassland habitat. Rather, the structure of rights-of-way, small grain fields, agricultural field edges, pastures, old fields, prairie restorations, and similarly constructed or disturbed sites provides suitable habitat for many of these species. Thirteen-lined ground squirrels are most abundant in short grasses, whereas Franklin's ground squirrels are found in grasses of intermediate height (Hoffmeister 1989). Both species prefer areas that provide an unobstructed view; thus, tall grasses are inhabited rarely. The masked shrew, meadow jumping mouse, and, to a lesser extent, the meadow vole generally prefer more mesic grasslands (Hoffmeister 1989). Eastern cottontails and woodchucks are most abundant where grassland habitat occurs in proximity to other habitat types and may be considered edge species. Other species use a variety of grassland habitats opportunistically. Threatened and Endangered Species None of the mammal species primarily associated with grasslands in the UDPAA is listed as threatened or endangered in Illinois. Exotics The Norway rat and house mouse are strongly associated with human structures, but both species may be found in grasslands in proximity to such structures. The house mouse in particular can sometimes reach substantial numbers in grasslands near buildings. These species are now so widespread that they are part of the mammalian fauna throughout the United States. Not much can be done to alter this situation and it is not one for concern. On the other hand, domesticated pets, particularly free ranging and feral housecats, can 94 have severe negative impacts on grassland-nesting songbirds, rabbits, and possibly other small mammals. Information Gaps Additional information on the distribution and population status of the Franklin's ground squirrel, western harvest mouse, meadow jumping mouse, and least weasel would be useful. Franklin's ground squirrel, in particular, appears to have become uncommon throughout much of its former range in Illinois. The status of the badger in Illinois was recently investigated by Warner and Ver Steeg (1995), but population status in the UDPAA should be determined more precisely. Although the red fox is not strictly a grassland species, it is most often associated with grasslands and other open habitats. There are suggestions that recent increases in the abundance of coyotes could have negatively affected populations of red fox, and status ofred fox populations in the UDPAA should be evaluated. Surveys to determine the presence of southern bog lemmings in the UDPAA sh~uld be conducted. Enhancement and Restoration Potential Restored grasslands, particularly in the Upper Des Plaines River and Northern Mill Creek subbasins, could provide valuable sites for re-introductions of Franklin's ground squirrels in areas where they no longer occur. Prairie restoration, coupled with the preservation of native prairie and other grassland habitats, would provide additional habitat for badger and red fox. 95 Amphibians and Reptiles Introduction Information in this section has been compiled from range maps in Smith (1961), the Illinois Natural Heritage Database (Illinois Department of Natural Resources 1997), the Illinois Amphibian and Reptile Vouchered Database (an INHS computer database that contains information on specimens from museum, university, and private collections), unvouchered records from the literature, and unvouchered records taken from reliable biologists and naturalists. There has not been a systematic survey of the amphibians and reptiles of the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area (UDPAA) but Dancik (1974) reported on the turtle fauna of a portion of the Des Plaines River (see below, under Creeks and Rivers for more information). The UDPAA contains portions ofthree of Smith's (1961) II Herpetofaunal Divisions for the state; Grand Prairie, Woodlands of the Grand Prairie, and Northeastern Mesic Woodlands. Amphibian and reptile species that are known or likely to occur in the UDPAA are listed in Table 13. The 16 amphibian species and 23 reptile species in Table 13 represent 39% of the amphibian species and 37% of the reptile species of the state. Two threatened or endangered species are known to exist in the UDPAA. The state endangered eastern massasauga, and the state threatened Kirtlands Snake. One other state endangered species, the four-toed salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum, has been extirpated from the UDPAA. When referring to the habitat designations in Table 13, keep in mind that most amphibian and reptile species are not restricted to a single habitat type. For example, all but two of Illinois amphibians require some type of aquatic habitat (wetland, pond, creek ,or river) for breeding but the adults can also be found in a variety of terrestrial habitats. Some species require a combination of two habitat types throughout their life. For example, the smooth green snake requires prairie or forest habitat, but wetlands must be present. On the other hand, some species have narrower habitat requirements than the designations in Table 13 might suggest. For example, the queen snake is listed as occurring in rivers and creeks, but it is only found in medium-sized creeks with rocky substrates. Habitat Requirements and Current Status of the Listed Species in the UDPAA Kirtland's water snake-This semi-aquatic snake prefers wet prairies with abundant cover, especially prairies that are seasonally flooded and adjacent to upland habitats. This species utilizes crayfish burrows as shelter although they have been taken in vacant lots in some urban areas where crayfish burrows have been completely destroyed. In these situations they rely on boards and other surface debris for cover. 97 The most recent verified records are for Carle Woods, north of Big Bend Lake in Cook County from 1987. Massasauga-This venomous snake prefers wet prairie areas with heavy grass cover or floodplain forest adjacent to open fields. The activity period in northern Illinois is probably mid-April to October. In some parts of their range, massasaugas move from moist prairie conditions to drier habitats in the spring (Seigel 1983). Massasaugas are often found in association with crayfish burrows which they use for shelter and hibernation (Maple and Orr 1968). They may also overwinter in mammal burrows, old tree stumps, and rock crevices. They apparently do not hibernate with other snake species. A viable population of massasaugas exists along the Des Plaines River from approximately the Ryerson Conservation Area in Lake County south to Willow Road in Cook County. The snakes are not continuously distributed throughout this stretch, rather they are found in several apparently isolated pockets. These populations are currently under study by Tom Anton of the Cook County Forest Preserve District. A recent, unverified record exists for Van Patton Woods just south of the Wisconsin border. Table 13. Amphibian and reptile species known or likely to occur in the Fox River Assessment Area, with an indication of habitat preference and relative abundance. Common Name!,2 Scientific Name Habitat3 Abundance4 Amphibians blue-spotted salamander Ambystoma laterale F,W C ti ger salamander Ambystoma tigrinum F,W,L C central newt Notophthalmus viridescens F,W,L R tiger salamander Ambystoma tigrinum W,P,L C redback salamander Plethodon cinereus F U mudpuppy Necturus maculosus R,L U American toad Bujo americanus U C cricket frog Acris crepitans W,L,R C spring peeper Pseudacris crucifer F,W,L C western chorus frog Pseudacris triseriata U C Cope's gray treefrog Hyla chrysoscelis F,W C eastern gray treefrog Hyla versicolor F,W C bullfrog Rana catesbeiana U C green frog Rana clamitans F,W,R C pickerel frog Rana palustris F,W,R R northern leopard frog Rana pipiens U C Reptiles snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina W,L,R C musk turtle Sternotherus odoratus L R painted turtle Chrysemys picta W,L,R C Blanding's turtle Emydoidea blandingii W U * slider Trachemys scripta W,L,R U map turtle Graptemys geographica L,R U 98 Table 13. Continued l Common Name ,2 Scientific Name Habitat' Abundance4 Reptiles (continued) false map turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica L,R u spiny softshell turtle Apalone spinifer W,L,R C five-lined skink Eumeces fasciatus F U eastern hognose snake Heterodon platirhinos F,P C racer Coluber constrictor U C smooth green snake Opheodrys vernalis F,W,P U fox snake Elaphe vulpina F,P,C C milk snake Lampropeltis triangulum F,W,P U plains garter snake Thamnophis radix U C common garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis U C brown snake Storeria dekayi U C red-bellied snak e Storeria occipitomaculata F,W U Graham's crayfish snake Regina grahamii W,P,L U queen snake Regina septemvittata R R Kirtland's water snake ST Clonophis kirtlandii F,W,P,L R northern water snake Nerodia sipedon U C massasauga SE Sistrurus catenatus F,W,P R 1 Nomenclature follows Collins (1990) unless noted, 2 Bold type indicates a state threatened species (ST) or state endangered species (SE); * = introduced species, 3 Habitats: F = forest, W = wetland, P = prairie and savanna, L = lakes, ponds, impoundments, R = rivers and creeks, C = cultural, U = ubiquitous (all habitats), 4 Abundance: C = common, U = uncommon, R = rare, X ;;:; extirpated, ? = status uncertain. Forest Typical Species Amphibian species of the UDPAA that are typical of forested habitats include blue spotted salamander and both species of gray treefrog. As outlined above, some amphibians also require aquatic habitats for breeding, The gray treefrogs and blue spotted salamander breed in forested wetlands and upland forested ponds. Among the reptiles of the UDPAA, the brown snake is typical of forested areas. Enhancement and Restoration Potential Maintaining small, temporary, fishless ponds in forests ofthe UDPAA would benefit almost all of the reptiles and amphibians of the UDPAA as well as other species groups that depend on them for food. Creating or restoring small ponds in upland forests is particularly valuable because these habitats are among the rarest in the UDPAA and the state. The central newt and both gray treefrogs breed in this habitat. Kirtland's snake and the massasauga, both state listed species, would benefit from restoration or creation of woodland ponds. 99 Wetland Typical Species Amphibian species of the UDPAA that are typical of wetland habitats include the green frog and northern leopard frog. As outlined above, almost all amphibians require some type of aquatic habitat for breeding and most breed in wetlands. Among the reptiles of the UDPAA, the painted turtle and common garter snake are typical of wetlands. Both listed species rely on wetland habitats. Enhancement and Restoration Potential Wetlands are central to the continued existence of both listed species in the UDPAA, Kirtland's snake and massasauga. Maintaining even smaIl, temporary wetlands in the UDPAA would benefit almost all of the reptiles and amphibians of the region, as weIl as other groups that depend on them for food. The importance of cat-tail marshes under one acre should not be underestimated. Mowing in the vicinity of wetlands should be avoided. Prairie Typical Species Of the amphibian species listed in Table 13, the tiger salamander and western chorus frog are typical of prairie habitats in the UDPAA. The tiger salamander requires fishless ponds and wetlands for breeding. Because of the destruction and degradation of these habitats, the tiger salamander has declined in the UDPAA. The western chorus frog has a shorter larval period and therefore can breed in more temporary aquatic habitats such as flooded fields and ditches. Reptile species in the UDPAA that are typical of prairie habitats include the fox snake and plains garter snake. Both of these snakes can tolerate disturbed habitats such as mowed right-of-way, pasture, oldfield, and agricultural edge. Both listed species rely on prairie habitats. Enhancement and Restoration Potential Restoring native prairie, especially wet prairie, in the UDPAA would benefit a variety of amphibians and reptiles, especiaIly the tiger salamander, and both listed species. 100 Lakes, Ponds, and Impoundments Typical Species Of the amphibian species listed in Table 13, the bullfrog and cricket frog are typical of lakes, ponds, and impoundments in the UDPAA. Both of these species have developed strategies for co-existing with fish and are usually more widely distributed than most amphibians. Among the reptiles of the UDPAA, the snapping turtle, painted turtle, common garter snake, and northern water snake are typical of lakes, ponds; 'and impoundments. Enhancement and Restoration Potential Restoration of fishless, forested ponds in upland areas would benefit the tiger salamander and gray treefrogs. Leaving at least part of the shore around ponds, lakes, and impoundments unmowed and providing forest or grassland connections among ponds, lakes, and impoundments in the UDPAA would benefit a variety of amphibians and reptiles including the listed species. Creeks and Rivers Typical Species The cricket frog and green frog are typical of creeks and small rivers in the UDPAA. The bullfrog is common in the Des Plaines River. Among the reptiles of the UDPAA, the northern water snake is typical of creeks and small rivers while the snapping turtle is typical of the Des Plaines River. Enhancement and Restoration Potential Restoring the riparian zone and associated floodplain forests and wetlands along the Des Plaines River and its tributaries would benefit a variety of amphibians and reptiles. Water quality must also be improved if any significant progress is expected. Exotic Species Dancik (1972) reported 12 species or subspecies of exotic turtles in a five-mile stretch of the Des Plaines River (from the 22nd Street bridge in North Riverside to the Interstate 55 crossing in Forest View) in a three-year study (1971 through 1973). Only one of these, the yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) was reported as reproducing. Dancik also reported finding two spectacled caimans (Caiman crocodilus) during this survey, indicating that most of the exotic reptiles found in the Des Plaines are probably discarded pets. !OI ------ Cultural Habitats Typical Species Of the amphibian species listed in Table 13, the American toad, western chorus frog, and bullfrog are typical of cultural habitats in the UDPAA. These species can be found in cropland, pasture, successional field, developed land, and tree plantations providing that adequate breeding sites (ditches, flooded fields, stock tanks, remnant marshes) are present. Among the reptiles of the UDPAA, the plains garter snake, common garter snake, brown snake, and northern water snake are typical of cultural habitats in the UDPAA. Enhancement and Restoration Potential The American toad, western chorus frog, and bullfrog do well in patches of cat-tail marsh under one acre, even when the marsh is surrounded by developed land. It is always best to strive for larger size and connectivity of habitat, but the utility of these smaller areas should not be underestimated. It is important to leave a moderate buffer of unmowed grasses around these habitats. Overall Habitat Quality and Management Concerns Overall, opportunities for amphibians and reptiles in the UDPAA are poor. Compared to pre-settlement, the present landscape of the UDPAA lacks a significant amount of wet prairie and the riparian zone along the Des Plaines River has been destroyed or degraded. The most critical management concern for the FRAA Partnership is habitat destruction and fragmentation. Natural habitats in the FRAA are typically found in small patches separated from each other by agricultural or developed land and this will continue as development pressure mounts. Habitat connectedness is important for amphibians because they usually travel long distances between their breeding and non-breeding habitats. For example, the American toad spends most of its time in upland habitats such as forests or prairies but migrates to lowland areas for breeding. Reptiles require habitat connections because many species move to upland retreats for winter hibernation. 102 Terrestrial Insects: Butterflies and Skippers Introduction The infonnation presented in this section has been compiled from distributional records in Irwin and Downey (1973), Ebner (1970), Shull (1987), seasonal summaries published by the Lepidopterists' Society, and from range maps in Opler and Malikul (1992). The terrestrial insect fauna of the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area (UDPAA) is well known, and this is particularly true of the butterflies and skippers. This reflects the long term attention of resident naturalists and amateur and professional entomologists along with that of others who have traveled to the area to collect and observe. The butterflies and skippers known to have been collected in four counties (Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will) of UDPAA are listed in Table 14 along with species considered by the writer to be of likely or possible occurrence. There is no published source of infonnation regarding the population status ofthe butterflies and skippers of UDPAA. Typical Species The distributions of the butterflies and skippers of a geographic area are tied to the distributions of the host plants and nectar sources of each species. Few species are rigidly habitat-specific as adults. On the contrary, wandering adults are often observed far removed from their larval feeding sites. Thus, for example, forest species can be observed in prairies, savannas, wetlands, and in areas of cultivation and disturbance. Forest Two typical forest species whose caterpillars feed on understory shrubs are the Giant Swallowtail on prickly ash and wafter ash and the Spring Azure on dogwoods. The Northern Pearly Eye, whose larvae feed on bottle brush grass and sea oats, and the Appalachian Eyed Brown, whose larvae feed on sedges, can be expected. Among the skippers, Juvenal's Dusky Wing, feeding on oaks, is likely to be encountered. Prairie Many records of prairie butterflies are available for UDPAA. Among those to be expected are the Dione Copper on docks, the Eastern Tailed Blue on legumes, the Gorgone Checkerspot on sunflowers, and the Monarch on milkweeds. Among skippers, the Black Dash and the Tawny Edged Skipper should occur. 103 Wetland Among the wetland butterflies to be expected are the Acadian Hairstreak and the Viceroy, both willow feeders as larvae, and the Bronze Copper and the Purplish Copper, both feeders on docks. The Eyed Brown, a sedge-feeder, will occur in undisturbed areas. The Least Skipper, a grass feeder, typically occurs in wetland areas. Savanna Few, if any, species in the UDPAA are likely to be restricted in distribution to savannas. Several species, however, are often encountered in savanna situations. These include three butterflies, namely, Edwards Hairstreak on scrub oak, the Little Copper on sour dock, and the Regal Fritillary on birdsfoot violet. Also to the expected, is the Silver Spotted Skipper on legumes. Cultural Habitats Many butterflies and skippers are commonly found in distributed areas, cultivated areas, and in urban and suburban developments. Indeed, some, such as the Cabbage Butterfly and the Alfalfa Butterfly, have pest status. Both certainly occur in UDPAA. Species of broad host range, such as the Painted Lady, occur commonly in cities and towns, as does the Tiger Swallowtail, which feeds on a wide variety of commonly cultivated trees and shrubs. Among the skippers, the Common Sooty Wing, feeding on amaranths and lambs quarters, occurs in yards and gardens. Information Gaps . The butterflies and skippers of the UDPAA are well known. Seventy-one species of butterflies of the 80 deemed likely to occur have been recorded and 201 of the 320 county records possible are available. In the skippers, 38 of the 44 deemed likely have been recorded, but only 85 of the 180 possible county records are available. More attention should be given to the skippers of DuPage County. The known occurrence in the UDPAA of several little known species of rare or sporadic appearance provide important opportunities to gain information about the population status of those species and to develop sound management practices to protect their habitats. Such target species would include Regal Fritillary, Eyed Brown, Appalachian Eyed Brown, Baltimore, and Ottoe Skipper. Because of the widespread use of fire as a tool of management in the habitats of these species, particular attention should be given to the effect of that practice on populations of these species. Finally, because the herbaceous plant, lupine (Lupinus perennis), is known from scattered sites in the UDPAA, observers should be alert to the possibility of discovering colonies of Frosted Elphin and Melissa Blue in the area. 104 Table 14. Butterflies and skippers known (+) or likely (-) occurrence in theUpper Des Plaines Assessment Area'. Species,,3,4 Habitat' Cook DuPage Lake Will Pipe Vine Swallowtail Rattus philenor F + + + Black Swallowtail Papilio polyxenes P,C + + + Giant Swallowtail Papilio cresphontes F + + + Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus F,C + + + Spicebush Swallowtail Papilio troi/us F + + + Zebra Swallowtail Eurytides marcellus F + + Checkered White Pontia protodice F,C + + + + *Cabbage Butterfly Pieris rapae F,C + + + *Alfalfa Butterfly Colias eurytheme P,C + + + + Clouded Sulphur Colias philodice P,C + + + + Dog Face Colias cesonia W,C + + + Cloudless Sulphur Phoebis sennae W,C + Little Sulphur Eurema lisa P,C + + + + Sleepy Orange Eurema nicippe W,C + + + Dainty Sulphur Nathalis iole P,C + Olympia Marble Euchloe olympia S + + Swamp Metalmark (SE) Calephelis mutica W + Coral Hairstreak Satyrium titus P,C + + + + Striped Hairstreak Satyrium liparops F,W + + + Banded Hairstreak Satyrium calanus F,P,S + + + Hickory Hairstreak Satyrium caryaevorum F Edwards' Hairstreak Satyrium edwardsii S + + + 105 Table 14. Continued Species2,3,4 Habitat' Cook DuPage Lake Will Acadian Hairstreak Satyrium acadica W + + + + Red-banded Hairstreak Calycopsis cecrops P,C + Hoary Elfin (SE) lncisalia polia F,S + + Frosted Elfin Incisalia irus P,S + Henry'sElfin Incisalia henrici F Eastern Pine Elfin Incisalia niphon F,C Olive Hairstreak Mitourea gymea P,C + Southern Hairstreak Fixenia favonius F,W White-Hairstreak Parrhasius m-album F + Gray Hairstreak Strymon melinus F,p,e + + + + Bronze Copper Lycaena hyllus W + + + + Dione Copper Lycaena dione P + + + Purplish Copper Lycaena helloides W + + + Little Copper Lycaena phlaeas P,S,C + + + + Marine Blue Leptotes marina P,C + + Reakirt's Blue Hemiargus isola P,S,C + + Melissa Blue (FE) Lycaeides melissa P,S,C + Eastern Tailed Blue Everes comyntas P,C + + + + Silvery Blue Glaucopsyche lygdamus F + + Spring Azure Celastrina argiolus F,e + + + + Dusky Blue Celastrina ebenina F Harvester Feniseca tarquinius F,w + + 106 Table 14. Continued Species2.3,4 Habitat' Cook DUPage Lake Will American Snout Libytheana carinenta F,W + + + Goatweed Butterfly Anaea andria F,C + + Hackberry Butterfly Asterocampa celtis F,W,C + + Tawny Emperor Asterocampa clyton F,W,C + + Red-Spotted Purple Liminitis arthemis W + + + Viceroy Liminitis archippus W + + + + Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta F,C + + + American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensis F,P,C + + + Painted Lady Vanessa cardui F,P,S,C + + + + Buckeye Junonia coenia P,W,C + + + + Compton Tortoise Shell Nymphalis vau-album F + + Milbert's Tortoise Shell Nymphalis milberti F,W,C + + + Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa F,C + + + Question Mark Polygonia interrogationis F,C + + + + Hop Merchant Polygonia comma F,C + + Gray Comma Polygonia progne F,W + + Silvery Checkerspot Chlosyne nycteis F,C + + + + Gorgone Checkerspot Chlosyne gorgone P Harris Checkerspot Chlosyne harrisii P,W Pearl Crescent Phyciodes tharos F,P,S,C + + + + Tawny Crescent Phyciodes batesii P,W,C Baltimore Euphydryas phaeton W + + + + 107 Table 14. Continued Species',3,4 Habitat' Cook DuPage Lake Will Silver-bordered Fritillary Boloria selene P,W + + Meadow Fritillary Boloria bellona P,W + + Regal Fritillary Speyeria idalia P,S + + + + Atlantis Fritillary Speyeria altantis F,W,C + Great Spangled Fritillary Speyeria cybele W,P,C + + + + Aphrodite Speyeria aphrodite W,P,C + + + + Variegated Fritillary Euptoieta claudia C + + + + Gulf Fritillary Agraulis vanillae C Monarch Danaus plexippus P,S,W,C + + + Northern Pearly Eye Enodia anthedon F,W + + + Eyed Brown Lethe eurydice W + + + Appalachian Eyed Brown Satyrodes appalachia F,W + + Little Wood Satyr Megisto cymela F,P + + + + Common Wood Nymph Cercyonis pegala P,S,W,C + + + + Eufala Skipper Lerodea eutala C Pepper and Salt Skipper Ambylscirtes hegon F + Roadside Skipper Amblyscirtes vialis F,C Dusted Skipper Atrytonopsis hianna P,S + Dion Skipper Euphyes dian W + + Black Dash Euphyes conspicuus P,W + + + + Two-spotted Skipper Euphyes bimacula W + + + Dun Skipper Euphyes vestris P,W,C + + + 108 Table 14. Continued 2 Species ",4 Habitat' Cook DuPage Lake Will Mulberry Wing Poanes massasoit W,C + + Hobomok Skipper Poanes hobomok F + + Zabulon Skipper Poanes zabulon F + Broad Winged Skipper Poanes viator W + + Byssus Skipper Problema byssus P Delaware Skipper Atrytone delaware P,W,C + + + Sachem Atalopodes campestris C + + Little Glassy Wing Pompeius verna C + + + Northern Broken Dash Wallengrenia egerement C + + Peck's Skipper Polites peckius C + + + + Tawney-edged Skipper Polites themistocles P,C + + + + Crossline Skipper Polites origenes p'C + + + Long Dash Polites mystic P,W + + + Ottoe Skipper (ST) Hesperia ottoe P + Dakota Skipper Hesperia dacotae P + Indian Skipper Hesperia sassacus F,P,C + Leonard's Skipper Hesperia leonardus P + Fiery Skipper Hylephila phyleus C + + + *European Skipper Thymelicus lineola W,C + + Poweshiek Skipperling Oarisma poweshiek W Least Skipper Ancyloxypha numitor W + + + + Common Sooty Wing Pholisora catullus C + + + + 109 Table 14. Continued 2 Species ",4 Habitat' Cook DuPage Lake Will Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus centaurea F,C + Checkered Skipper Pyrgus communis C + + Dreamy Dusky Wing Erynnis icelus F,S + + Sleepy Dusky Wing Erynnis brizo F + + Wild Indigo Dusky Wing Erynnis baptisiae p,e + + Mottled Dusky Wing Erynnis martialis F,P + Horace's Dusky Wing Erynnis horatius F + + luvenal's Dusky Wing Erynnis juvenalis F + Columbine Dusky Wing Erynnis lucilius W + Scalloped Sooty Wing Staphylus hayhursti F,C Southern Cloudy Wing Thorybes bathyllus F + + + Northern Cloudy Wing Thorybes pylades F + + + Hoary Edge Achlaris lyciades F Silver-spotted Skipper Epargyreus clarus P,S,C' + + + 1 Sources of data for this table are listed in the reference section of this report. 2 Scientific and common names follow Opler and Malikul (1992), 3 Order of treatment follows Irwin and Downey (1973), except that skippers following butterllies. 4 Bold type indicates an Illinois endangered species (5E), an Illinois threatened species (ST), or a federally endangered species (FE); * indicates an introduced species, 5 Habitats: F;forest, P;prairie, S;savanna, W;wetland, C;cultural. 110 Aquatic Biota Introduction The long narrow basin of the Des Plaines River lies west of Lake Michigan in northeastern Illinois. The northern portion of the basin constitutes the Upper Des Plains Assessment Area (UDPAA) (Figure 2); the lower portion of the basin once was occupied by a great river, the outlet of early Lake Michigan. The entire basin drains 1,231 square miles parts of five counties-Lake, Cook, DuPage, Will, and Grundy (Page et al. 1992). Two natural divisions are included-Grand Prairie and Northeastern Morainal (Schwegman 1973). Unlike most of Illinois, the majority of the soils in this basin are derived from glacial drift rather than loess. Drainage is poorly developed and many natural lakes are present. The soils are derived from glacial drift, lake bed sediments, beach deposits, and peat. They range from gravel and sand to silty clay loams; most have been deposited over bedrock (Schwegman, 1973). The Des Plaines River rises near Racine in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. The river enters Illinois two miles northeast of Rosecranes in Lake County and flows south for 97 miles before its confluence with the Kankakee River to form the Illinois River. Historically, the Des Plaines basin possessed 21 miles of rapids, riffles, and rocky shallows. Today little remains of what was once considered a dangerous river (Vierling 1977). Stream width ranges from 60 feet in Lake County to 600 feet in Will County. The river bottom is of bedrock, largely covered with sand and gravel, but bare rock is found in portions of its swiftest descent. The sand and gravel are often imbedded with organic muck. Exteusive dredging has occurred in some areas, and 20 miles have been channelized in Lake and Cook counties. Two major lock and dam structures are on the river-one at Brandon Road and another at Dresden. Pollution has degraded the water quality and aquatic habitat. Originally, the Des Plains basin contained numerous small lakes and marshes and was highly attractive to waterfowl and furbearing animals. Today most of the watershed is part of the greater Chicago metropolitan region and has been extensively developed for urban and industrial use. Septic conditions, algae blooms, and poor fish populations have reduced the attractiveness for water-oriented recreation. Over-enrichment of the water from treated and untreated sewage is a major problem. At least 100 waste treatment plants empty into the Des Plaines basin (Vidal, 1969). For more current information on waste treatment in the area, see Volume 4 of the Upper Des Plaines Area Assessment (lllinois Department of Natural Resources 1998). Statewide Comparison ofAquatic Biota The focus of the rest of this chapter is the Upper Des Plains Assessment Area (UDPAA), rather than the entire basin. The UDPAA supports a moderate diversity of aquatic III species. Known from the basin are 51 species of fishes, 19 species of mussels, and 11 species of malacostracans (large crustaceans). Many species have disappeared from the drainage in recent decades; the aquatic biota of the basin is in worse condition than that of other regions of Illinois. However, with improvements in water quality, species that have been extirpated could return and natural communities could become re-established in areas where they have been eliminated or altered. The UDPAA appears to support, at best, a moderate diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrate species. Unfortunately, existing data on the distribution and natural community associations of these species are inadequate to summarize typical, unique, or rare species, or to identify exotic species. Several surveys for aquatic macroinvertebrates have been conducted in the upper as well as the lower Des Plaines River basin (Sparks et al. 1986, Schacht and Matsunaga 1977a,b, Brigham et al. 1978, Ecological Analysts, Inc. 1984, Hey et al. 1989, Sanville and Mitch 1994, Mitch et al. 1995, Mitch 1996). The scope of each of these surveys, and the sampling ~ethodologies and analyses implemented during each study, varied enough from one another that comparison of data would not be practical. Nonetheless, important drainage basin and distributional information was generated by these surveys. Common Species Fifty-one species of fishes are known from the UDPAA (Tables 15 and 16). Common fishes in lakes are bluntnose minnows, golden shiners, bluegills, pumpkinseeds and Iowa darters. Common fishes in creeks and rivers are bigmouth shiners, sand shiners, central stonerollers, bluntnose minnows, fathead minnows, black bullheads, white suckers, green sunfish, black crappies, and johnny darters. Headwaters contain large populations of creek chubs and, where heavily vegetated, central mudminnows. The UDPAA supports one of the lowest diversities of freshwater mussels in the state. Eighteen species of mussels have been reported from this region (Tables 17 and 18), but only three species (white heelsplitter, giant floater, and fat mucket) have been found alive since 1969, all of which are common statewide. Historically, 37 species have been reported for the entire Des Plaines River drainage and Lake Michigan tributaries, but only 8 have been found alive since 1969 (Cummings and Mayer 1997). Eleven species of crayfishes, isopods, and amphipods are found in the basin (Tables 20 and 21). The most common crayfish is the virile crayfish, which usually is found over rocky substrates or around woody debris or vegetation. The clearwater crayfish once was common in clean rocky stream habitats, but has been displaced by the introduced rusty crayfish. The most common isopod is Caecidotea intermedia, which lives in rocky areas and on woody debris. The most common amphipods are Hyalella azteca, which is found on vegetation, usually filamentous algae growing on rocks or logs, and Gammarus pseudolimnaeus, which lives in spring-fed headwaters. None of the II species of crustaceans known from the basin is considered threatened or endangered. 112 In general, the aquatic macroinvertebrate populations of the UDPAA appear to be as diverse as those of many other watersheds in Illinois; unfortunately, available information to date is limited to a few surveys that focused primarily on the entire Des Plaines River, not the just the upper section relevant to this report. A list of aquatic macroinvertebrate taxa known or thought likely to occur within the UDPAA is presented in Table 21; this information is based upon records from the Des Plaines River, a few direct tributaries, and from records from other aquatic habitats within the counties located in the UDPAA. Most of these species are considered relatively common in the state of Illinois. Although many of the species listed in Table 21 are known to occur in both standing and running water, the paucity of accessible historical records and limited recent information for taxa known to occur within the UDPAA make it difficult to associate most taxa with specific habitat types, such as headwaters, larger streams, small or medium reaches of rivers, or with standing water habitats such as ponds, lakes, and reservoirs. Current literature discussing federal and state listed threatened and endangered species, species under consideration for such listing, or other species considered rare or of special concern (Herkert 1992, 1994; Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board 1994; U.S. Department ofInterior, Fish and Wildlife Service 1995, 1996) does not include any aquatic macroinvertebrate species other than unionid mussels known or thought likely to occur in the UDPAA. Table. 15. Freshwater fishes recorded from the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Areal. Family Small Medium Standing 2 3 Scientific Name • .4 Common Name Headwaters Creeks Rivers Rivers Water Cyprinidae # Campostoma anomalum central stoneroller X X X * Carassius auratus goldfish X X X X Cyprinella spi/optera spotfin shiner X X X * Cyprinus carpio common carp X X X Luxi/us chrysocephalus striped shiner X X X X Luxilus cornutus common shiner X X X Lythrurus umbratilis redfin shiner X X X Nocomis biguttatus homyhead chub X X # Notemigonus crysoleucas golden shiner X X X Notropis chalybaeus - ST ironcolor shiner X X # Notropis dorsalis bigmouth shiner X X X Notropis heterodon - ST blackchin shiner X Notropis heterolepis - SE blacknose shiner X X # Notropis ludibundus sand shiner X X X Phoxinus erythrogaster southern redbelly dace X # Pimephales notatus bluntnose minnow X X X X # Pimephales promelas fathead minnow X X * Scardinius erythrophthalmus rudd X X # Semoti/us atromaculatus creek chub X X 113 Table 15. Continued Family Small Medium Standing Scientific Name,,3,4 Common Name Headwaters Creeks Rivers Rivers Water Catostomidae # Catostomus commersoni white sucker X X X Erimyzon oblongus creek chubsucker X X X Erimyzon sucetta lake chubsucker X X Hypentelium nigricans northern hog sucker X X X Ictaluridae # Ameiurus melas black bullhead X X X X Ameiurus natalis yellow bullhead X X X X Noturus flavus stonecat X X Noturus gyrinus tadpole madtom X X Esocidae Esox americanus grass pickerel X X X X Esox lucius northern pike X X X Umbridae Umbra limi central mudminnow X X Aphredoderidae Aphredoderus sayanus pirate perch X Fundulidae Fundulus notatus blackstripe topminnow X X X Poeciliidae Gambusia affinis mosquitofish X X X Gasterosteidae Culaea inconstans brook stickleback X X X Cottidae Cottus bairdi mottled sculpin X X Moronidae Morone mississippiensis yellow bass X X X X Centrarchidae Ambloplites rupestris rock bass X X X # Lepomis cyanellus green sunfish X X X X # Lepomis gibbosus pumpkinseed X X X X Lepomis gulosus warmouth X X X X Lepomis humilis orangespotted sunfish X X X # Lepomis macrochirus bluegill X X X X Micropterus salmoides largemouth bass X X X X Pomoxis annularis white crappie X X X X # Pomoxis nigromaculatus black crappie X X X X Percidae # Etheostoma exile· SE Iowa darter X X X Etheostoma flabellare fantail darter X X X # Etheostoma nigrum johnny darter X X X X Etheostoma spectabile orangethroat darter X X X Percaflavescens yellow perch X X X Percina maculata blackside darter X X X X 1 Data from the Illinois Natural History Survey Fish Collection. 2 Bold type indicates a state endangered species (SE); state threatened species (ST). 3 * ::;;: non-native species; #::;;; common species. 4 Total number of species; 51 (48 native, 3 introduced), 114 Table 16. Freshwater fishes recorded from the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area, by habitat'. Family Streams Standing Water Scientific Name2,3,4 Common Name Riffles Runs Pools Littoral Open Water Cyprinidae # Campostoma anomalum central stoneroller X X * Carassius auratus goldfish X X Cyprinella spiloptera spotfin shiner X X * Cyprinus carpio common carp X X Luxilus chrysocephalus striped shiner X X Luxilus cornutus common shiner X X Lythrurus umbratilis redfin shiner X X Nocomis biguttatus homyhead chub X X # Notemigonus crysoleucas golden shiner X X X Notropis chalybaeus - ST ironcolor shiner X X # Notropis dorsalis bigmouth shiner X X Notropis heterodon - ST blackchin shiner X Notropis heterolepis - SE blacknose shiner X # Notropis ludibundus sand shiner X X Phoxinus erythrogaster southern redbelly dace X X # Pimephales notatus bluntnose minnow X X # Pimephales promelas fathead minnow X * Scardinius erythrophthalmus rudd X X # Semotilus atromaculatus creek chub X Catostomidae # Catostomus commersoni white sucker X X Erimyzon ob/ongus creek chubsucker X X Erimyzon sucetta lake chubsucker X Hypentelium nigricans northern hog sucker X X Ictaluridae Ameiurus melas black bullhead X X Ameiurus natalis yellow bullhead X X Noturus jlavus stonecat X Noturus gyrinus tadpole madtom X X Esocidae Esox americanus grass pickerel X X Esox lucius northern pike X X Umbridae Umbra limi central mudminnow X X Aphredoderidae Aphredoderus sayanus pirate perch X Fundulidae Fundulus notatus blackstripe topminnow X Poeciliidae Gambusia affinis mosquitofish X X Gasterosteidae Culaea inconstans brook stickleback X X Cottidae Cottus bairdi mottled sculpin X 115 Table 16. Continued Family Streams Standing Water Scientific Name2,3,' Common Name RIffles Runs Pools Littoral Open Water Moronidae Morone mississippiensis yellow bass x X Centrarchidae Ambloplites rupestris rock bass X # Lepomis cyanellus green sunfish X X # Lepomis gibbosus pumpkinseed X Lepomis gulosus warmouth X X Lepomis humilis orangespotted sunfish X # Lepomis macrochirus bluegill X X Micropterus salmoides largemouth bass X X X Pomoxis annularis white crappie X X X # Pomoxis nigromaculatus black crappie X X X Percidae # Etheostoma exile - SE Iowa darter X X Etheostoma jlabellare fantail darter X # Etheostoma nigrum johnny darter X X Etheostoma spectabile orangethroat darter X X Percaflavescens yellow perch X X Percina maculata blackside darter X 1Data from the Illinois Natural History Survey Fish Collection, 2 Bold type indicates a state endangered species (SE); state threatened species (ST), 3 * ;;;; non-native species; #;:;: common species. 4 Total number of species =51 (48 native, 3 introduced), 116 Table 17. Freshwater mussels recorded from the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area'. Family Sub-family Headwaters/ Small Medium Standing 2 3 Scientific Name • ,4 Common Name Creeks Rivers Rivers Water Unionidae Anodontinae Alasmidonta viridis - SE slippershell mussel X X Anodontoides ferussacianus cylindrical papershell X X X # Lasmigona complanata white heelsplitter X X X X Lasmigona compressa creek heelsplitter X X Lasmigona costata fluted shell X X # Pyganodon grandis giant floater X X X X Strophitus undulatus squawfoot X X X X Ambleminae Amblema plicata threeridge X X Cyclonaias tuberculata purple wartyback X EU~nocrassidens-ST elephantear X Ellipno dilatata - ST spike X X Fusconaia flava Wabash pigtoe X X Pleurobema sintoxia round pigtoe X X Lampsilinae # Actinonaias ligamentina mucket X X Lampsilis siliquoidea fatmucket X X X Toxolasma parvus lilliput X X X X Venustaconcha ellipsijormis ellipse X X Villosa iris - SE rainbow X X Corbiculidae * Corbicula fluminea Asian clam X X X X 1 Data from the Illinois Natural History Survey Mollusk Collection. 2 Bold type indicates a state endangered species (SE) or state threatened species (ST). 3 * ;;:: non-native species; # ;;:: common species. 4 Total number of species = J9 (18 native, I introduced). 117 l Table 18. Freshwater mussels recorded from the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area, by habitat • Family Sub-family Streams Standing Water Scientific Name2,3,4 Common Name Riffles Runs Pools Littoral Zone Unionidae Anodontinae Alasmidonta viridis - SE slippershell mussel X X Anodontoides jerussacianus cylindrical papersheJl X X X # Lasmigona complanata white heelsplitter X X X Lasmigona compressa creek heelsplitter X X Lasmigona costata flutedshell X X # Pyganodon grandis giant floater X X X Strophitus undulatus squawfoot X X X Ambleminae Amblema plicata threeridge X X X Cyclonaias tuberculata purple wartyback X X Elliptio crassidens - ST elephantear X X Elliptio dilatata - ST spike X X Fusconaiaflava Wabash pigtoe X X Pleurobema sintoxia round pigtoe X X Lampsilinae # Actinonaias ligamentina mucket X X Lampsilis siliquoidea fatmucket X X X X Toxolasma parvus lilliput X X X X Venustaconcha ellipsijormis - SC ellipse X X Villosa iris - SE rainbow X X Corbiculidae ,* Corbicula fluminea Asian clam X X X X I Data from the Illinois Natural History Survey Mollusk Collection. 2 Bold type indicates a state endangered species (SE) or state threatened species (ST) or Illinois special concern (sq, 3 * ::: non-native species; # ;:: common species. 4 Total number of species = 19 (18 native, I introduced). 118 Table 19. Freshwater crustaceans recorded from the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Areal. ORDER Family Small Medium Standing 2 Scientific Name . 3 Common Name Headwaters Creeks Rivers Rivers Water ISOPODA (Isopods) Asellidae # Caecidotea intermedia x x x x AMPHIPODA (Amphipods) Crangonyctidae Crangonyx gracilis x Gammaridae # Gammarus pseudolimnaeus x Hyalellidae # Hyalella azteca x x x x x DECAPODA (Crayfishes & shrimps) Cambaridae Procambarus acutus White River crayfish x X X X Procambarus gracilis prairie crayfish burrower Orconectes immunis calico crayfish X X X X X Orconectes propinquus clearwater crayfish X X X * Orconectes rusticus rusty crayfish X X X X # Orconectes virilis virile crayfish X X X X Cambarus diogenes devil crawfish burrower I Data from the Illinois Natural History Survey Crustacean Collection. 2 * ;;;: non-native species; #::= common species. 3 Total number of species = 11 (lO native, I introduced). 119 Table 20. Freshwater crustaceans recorded from the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Area, by habitat'. ORDER Family Streams Standing Water 2 Scientific Name . 3 Common Name Riffles Runs Pools Littoral Open Water ISOPODA (Isopods) Asellidae # Caecidotea intermedia x x AMPHIPODA (Amphipods) Crangonyctidae Crangonyx gracilis x x Gammaridae # Gammarus pseudolimnaeus x Hyalellidae # Hyalella azteca x x x x DECAPODA (Crayfishes & shrimps) Cambaridae Procambarus acutus White River crayfish x X Procambarus gracilis prairie crayfish burrower Orconectes immunis calico crayfish X X Orconectes propinquus clearwater crayfish X * Orconectes rusticus rusty crayfish X X # Orconectes virilis virile crayfish X X X Cambarus diogenes devil crawfish burrower 1 Data from the Illinois Natural History Survey Crustacean Collection. 2 * == non-native species; #::: common species. 3 Total number of species = II (10 native, I introduced). 120 Table 21. Aquatic macroinvertebrates, exclusive of the Crustacea and unionoidean . Mollusca, recorded from the Upper Des Plaines Assessment Areal. Phylum CNIDARlA (Coelenterata) - Hydrozoans Hydridae Hydrasp. Phylum TURBELLARIA • Flatworms Branchiura sowerbyi Tricladida llyodrilus templetoni Planariidae Limnodrilus cervix Dugesia sp. Limnodrilus claparedianus Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri Phylum NEMATODA - Nematode Worms Limnodrilus maumeensis Species indeterminate Quistadrilus multisetosus Tubifex tubifex Phylum ANNELIDA. Segmented Worms Lumbricidae species indeterminate Class BRANCIDOBDELLAE - Crayfish Worms Class IDRUDINEA • Leeches Branchiobdellida Rhynchobdellida Cambarincolidae Glossiphoniidae Cambarincola sp. Helobdella triserialis Helobdella stagnalis Class OLIGOCHAETA - Oligochaete Worms Placobdella multilineata Lumbriculida Placobdella parasitica Lumbriculidae Gnathobdellida Species indeterminate Hirudinidae Thbificida Haemopis marmorata Enchytraeidae Pharyngobdellida Species indeterminate Erpobdellidae Naididae Erpobdella punctata Amphichaeta leydigi Chaetogaster diaphanus Phylum ARTHROPODA - Arthropods Bratislavia unidentata Dero digitata Class ARACHNIDA Dero furcata Hydrachnida •Aquatic Mites Dero nivea Species indeterminate Haemonais waldvogeli Nais barbata Class INSECTA· Insects Nais communis Order Ephemeroptera - Mayflies Nais pardalis Baetidae Nais variabilis Baetis sp. Ophidonais serpentina Labiobaetis frondalis Paranais frici Pristina leidyi Ephemeridae Pristinella osborni Ephemera simulans Slavina appendiculata Pentagenia vittigera Stylaria lacustris Tubificidae Aulodrilus pigueti 121 Table 21. Continued Heptageniidae Sympetrum obtrusum Stenonema femoratum Sympetrum rubicundulum Siphlonuridae Sympetrum vicinum Siphlonurus alternatus Order Plecoptera - Stoneflies Order Odonata - Damselflies and Dragonflies Perlidae Zygoptera - Damselflies Acroneuria frisoni Calopterygidae Perlesta placida complex Calopteryx maculata Taeniopterygidae Hetaerina americana Taeniopteryx burksi Coenagrionidae Anomalagrion hastatum Order Heteroptera - True Bugs Enallagma basidens Belostomatidae Enallagma carunculatum Belostoma flumineum Enallagma civile Lethocerus americanus Enallagma ebrium Lethocerus griseus Enallagma hageni Corixidae Enallagma signatum Hesperocorixa obliqua Enallagma vesperum Hesperocorixa vulgaris Nehalennia irene Palmacorixa buenoi Lestidae Sigara alternata Lestes disjunctus Sigara grossolineata Lestes dryas Sigara hubbelli Lestes rectangularis Trichocorixa calva Lestes unguiculatus Trichocorixa sexcincta Lestes vigilax Gerridae Anisoptera . Dragonflies Aquarius remigis Aeshnidae Gerris argenticollis Aeshna clepsydra Gerris buenoi Anaxjunius Gerris camatus Corduliidae Gerris marginatus Epitheca spinigera Limnoporus dissortis Somatochlora linearis Rheumatobates palosi Gomphidae Trepobates knighti Gomphus graslinellus Trepobates subnitidus Libellulidae Hebridae Celithemis elisa Hebrus tuckahoanus Celithemis eponina Merragata hebroides Ladona julia Mesoveliidae Leucorrhinia intacta Mesovelia mulsanti Libellula luctuosa Nepidae Libellula pulchella Nepa apiculata Pachydiplax longipennis Ranatra fusca Perithemis tenera Ranatra kirkaldyi Sympetrum costiferum Ranatra nigra Sympetrum internum 122 Table 21. Continued Notonectidae Hydrochus rufipes Buenoa margaratacea Hydrochus pseudosquamifer Notonecta irrorata Hydrochus sqllamifer Notonecta raleighi Hydrophilus triangularis Notonecta undulata Paracymus despectus Pleidae Paracymus subcupreus Neoplea striola Tropisternus blatchleyi modestus Veliidae Tripisternus glaber Microvelia americana Tripisternus lateralis nimbatlls Microvelia buenoi Tripisternus mixtus Tropisternus natator Order Megaloptera - Dobsonflies and Alderflies Corydalidae Order Trichoptera - Caddistlies Species indeterminate Brachycentridae Sialidae Brachycentrus lateralis Species indeterminate Hydropsychidae Cheumatopsyche sp. Order Coleoptera - Beetles Hydropsyche sp. Dytiscidae Potamyia flava Coptotomlls lenticus Leptoceridae Coptotomus longulus Ceraclea diluta Graphoderes librus Ceraclea nepha Hydaticus piceus Ceraclea tarsipunctata Laccophilus maculosus Ceraclea transversa Laccophilus proximlls Leptocerus americanus Elmidae Mystacides seplilchralis Stenelmis crenata Oecetis cinerascens Gyrinidae Oecetis inconspicua Dineutes sp. Triaenodes abus Gyrinus sp. Triaenodes marginatus Haliplidae Limnephilidae Haliplus blanchardi Anabolia consocia Haliplus borealis Polycentropodidae Haliplus conexus Neureclipsis bimaculata Haliplus cribrarius Halipilis immaculicollis Order Diptera . Flies Haliplus longulus Chironomidae Haliplus subquttatus Chironamus sp. Haliplus triopsis Cricotopus bicinctus Peltodytes edentulus Cricotopus sylvestris Peltodytes pedunculatus Dicrotendipes nervosus Peltodytes sexmaculatlls Glyptotendipes barbipes Hydrophilidae Nanocladius sp. Anacaena limbata Orthocladius sp. Hydrochara obtusata Parachironomus sp. Hydrochus granulatus Parachironomus nr. directus 123 Table 21. Continued Parachironomus nf. monochromus Phylum MOLLUSCA. Mollusks (not Parakiefferiella sp. including Unionidae) Polypedilum nr. scalaenum Gastropoda· Snails Procladius sp. Ancylidae Culicidae Ferrissia sp. Species indetenllinate Physidae Simuliidae Physa sp. Species indetenninate Tabanidae Pelecypoda • Bivalve Mollusks Species indetenninate Sphaeriidae Tipulidae Species indetenninate Species indetenninate 1 Data are from the minois Natural History Survey Insect and Annelida collections, and literature cited in this document. List compiled by M. J. Wetzel, D. W. Webb, and S. J. Taylor, INHS Center for Biodiversity. Threatened and Endangered Fishes State endangered (SE) or state threatened (ST) fishes known from the UDPAA include the ironco10r shiner (ST), last observed in 1901; the b1acknose shiner (SE), last observed in 1901; the b1ackchin shiner (ST), last observed in 1967; and the Iowa darter (SE), observed as recently as 1994. It is doubtful that the ironcolor shiner and blacknose shiner still exist in the region since neither has been seen since 1901. The blackchin shiner may also be extirpated, not having been observed in the region since 1967. The blackchin shiner has an extremely restricted distribution in Illinois and, if extirpated from the Des Plaines River system, is found now only in the Fox River system. The Iowa darter is relatively common in Lake County in Bull Creek (1993), Mill Creek (1986), Huntley Lake (1990), Lake Sterling (1994), and a tributary of the Des Plaines River near Libertyville (1993). Threatened and Endangered Mussels Eighteen species of mussels have been reported from this region and historical records are available for four threatened or endangered species. Three of the four (slippershell [SE), elephantear [ST), and rainbow [SEJ) have been extirpated in the drainage since the 1930s. From 1956 to 1958, eight sites in the Des Plaines River were surveyed for mussels by M.R. Matteson of the University of Illinois. The spike (ST) was the only state listed mussel found alive ~y Matteson in the 1950s. This mussel has not been found since and is presumed extirpated from the region. 124 Non-native Species The common carp has been introduced to the UDPAA. It can be found in almost any type of habitat but prefers warm sluggish waters of streams and lakes and is very tolerant of high turbidity and low oxygen levels. Native to Eurasia, the common carp has been present in Illinois since the earliest surveys, making its effect on native species difficult to determine. The species tends to destroy vegetation and increase water turbidity by dislodging plants and rooting around in the substrate, causing a deterioration of habitat for species requiring vegetation and clear water. The common carp attains a large size and has become an important commercial food species in Illinois; however, it may have done so at the expense of ecologically similar native species such as carpsuckers and buffalos. It was distributed throughout Illinois by the time of Forbes and Richardson's (1908) survey of Illinois fishes and was described as abundant in all parts of the state by Smith (1979). It remains common in most areas of Illinois. The goldfish is another Eurasian species occasionally found in the UDPAA. It can reproduce in Illinois but does well only where water quality is poor and populations of native fishes are small. The goldfish prefers vegetated pools, but its high tolerance of turbidity and pollution has enabled it to survive in some of the most degraded streams in the UDPAA. The rudd is native to Eurasia and individuals were not reported in Illinois until very recently. Illinois records result from the use of the rudd as a bait minnow, and the species is not known to be reproducing. However, if the rudd becomes established in Illinois, it will compete with native minnows and thereby alter our aquatic ecosystems. There is no evidence that the rudd is a better bait fish than native species, such as the golden shiner, and, thus, no reason for it to be used in Illinois. The exotic Asian clam is known from one locality in the Des Plaines River. Native to Asia, the species is documented by a 1996 collection of dead shells from the Des Plaines River at Lyon, Cook County. Effects of the Asian clam on native species and communities are difficult to measure, but the species probably competes with native mussels for food. The rusty crayfish is rapidly expanding its range, mostly as a result of bait-bucket introductions, and now is present in the Des Plaines River system (Taylor and Redmer 1996). Once established, the rusty crayfish outcompetes native crayfishes and, in the Des Plaines River, is rapidly displacing the ecologically similar clearwater crayfish. Of the other aquatic macroinvertebrate taxa known or thought likely to occur in the UDPAA (Table 21), none is thought to have been introduced. 125 Information Gaps The Des Plaines River drainage has been fairly well studied with respect to fishes, crayfishes, and mussels. However, additional survey work in the smaller tributaries would better define the limits of some of the species, especially mussels, and possibly uncover additional populations of the state endangered species. The status of several species, especially the ironcolor shiner, blacknose shiner, and blackchin shiner, is uncertain; additional survey work is needed to determine whether these species still occur in the drainage and, if not, whether they could be successfully reintroduced. Long-tenn population monitoring of selected species and communities is needed throughout the state to provide information on trends in biological resources and on the success of various management strategies. Mark-recapture studies would help us to understand nonnal movements of fishes and other aquatic organisms and, hence, to provide baseline data for interpreting the impacts of environmental alterations and management strategies. Most other groups of aquatic macroinvertebrates known to occur in the UDPAA (Table 21) have not been as well studied as fishes, mussels, and crustaceans. Historical as well as recent faunal studies for aquatic macroinvertebrates occurring in Illinois include those for Coleoptera (beetles) (Wooldridge 1967; W. Brigham, unpublished), Ephemeroptera (mayflies) (Burks 1953), Plecoptera (stoneflies) (Frison 1935), Trichoptera (caddisflies) (Ross 1944), Hemiptera (true bugs) (Lauck 1959; Taylor 1996), Diptera (Malloch 1915a, b), and Annelida (segmented worms) (Wetzel 1992). Several historical and recent collections of aquatic macroinvertebrates from the UDPAA are deposited in the pennanent INHS collections; infonnation for these collections, however, is not easily retrievable because either specimens have not yet been identified, or the identified material has not yet been incorporated into a searchable database. Once specimens in the INHS collections have been identified and incorporated into a database, comparisons of historical material with that obtained during more recent collections could be made to determine changes in distribution and abundance. Moreover, long-term monitoring of selected groups of aquatic macroinvertebrates in habitats throughout the state, particularly in headwater streams and, to a lesser extent, in small ponds, lakes and wetland areas would provide needed information on population trends and habitat associations. Water Quality In the Illinois Water Quality Report (IEPA, 1996) a majority (80%) of the Des Plaines River mainstem provided "Partial SupportlMinor Impairment," 17% provided "Partial SupportIModerate Impairment," and 3% "Full Support." Eighty-seven percent of the 126 mainstem of the DuPage River provided "Full Support, with the remainder rated as "Partial SupportlMinor Impairment" while the East and West Branches of the DuPage .provided "Partial Support/Minor Impairment." The report describes water quality conditions as "Full Support" when the water quality meets the needs of all designated uses protected by applicable water quality standards. "Partial Support/Minor Impairment" indicates that water quality has been impaired, but only to a minor degree. "Partial Support/Moderate Impairment" means water quality conditions are impaired to a greater degree inhibiting the waterbody from meeting all the needs for that designated use. Degraded water conditions were primarily due to urban surface water runoff, municipal and industrial discharges, land development, and channelization. The Biological Stream Characterization (Hite and Bertrand, 1989) rated a small portion of the Des Plaines River (from the Illinois state line to Mill Creek and Jackson Creek) as a "B" stream (Highly Valued Aquatic Resource). The rest of the mainstem of the Des Plaines was rated as "c" (Moderate Aquatic Resource) or "D" (Limited Aquatic Resource). Using fishes as biological indicators, Smith (1971) rated the Des Plaines River and its tributaries as "Poor." Domestic and industrial pollution were recognized as major problems in the basin. Environmental Problems Stream ecosystems are fragmented by landscape changes that render stream habitats unsuitable for aquatic organisms and by instream modifications that eliminate stream habitats. Smith (1971) ranked the causes of extirpation or declines in fish species in Illinois as follows: siltation (as the primary factor responsible for the loss of 2, and decimation of 14, species), drainage of bottomland lakes, swamps, and prairie marshes (0, 13), desiccation during drought (0, 12), species introductions (2, 7), pollution (2, 5), impoundments (0, 4), and increased water temperatures (0, I). All of these factors render habitats unsuitable for many aquatic species throughout Illinois and lead to extirpations. Streams in Illinois naturally have wooded floodplains that are extremely important in maintaining a healthy aquatic environment. The vegetation on a floodplain shades the stream and keeps it from becoming excessively hot during the summer, stabilizes the streambank and reduces erosion, and acts as a filter that removes topsoil and pesticides which would otherwise reach the stream as water drains from croplands. During periods of high water, vegetated floodplains provide feeding and spawning areas for many species of aquatic organisms and nurseries for developing larvae. When floodplains are converted to crop production as they have been throughout much of Illinois, they no longer provide these benefits to aquatic organisms. Another major landscape change that has negatively impacted streams has been the tiling of land for agriculture. Land that once drained slowly drains quickly once it is tiled. 127 Rapid drainage of land increases the pulse of a flood and increases the intensity and duration of low-flow once the water has moved downstream. These artificially extreme fluctuations in water levels subject stream organisms to environmental conditions to which they are not adapted and can lead to the extirpation of populations. Siltation, increased water temperatures, and desiccation follow the removal of riparian vegetation and the tiling of fields as land is prepared for agriculture. The excessive siltation associated with the removal of floodplain vegetation is among the most damaging forms of stream pollution. The clean rock and gravel substrates that are normally characteristic of riffles and other stream habitats with fast-flowing water provide living space for many species of aquatic insects and other invertebrates and important spawning habitat for many species of fishes. The deposition of silt covers the rocks, leaving no place for small organisms to hide or for fishes to hide their eggs. Silt can also cover the leaves of aquatic plants and, if sufficient to prevent gas exchange or photosynthesis, will cause the plants to die. The reduction of plant life in a stream has a cascading negative impact on the stream ecosystem. Many animals, in particular insect larvae and fishes, use the plants as places to hide and forage. Some fishes use plants to hide from predators, others use plants as sites from which to ambush prey. As plants are eliminated, populations of insects and fishes are reduced or eliminated because they have fewer places to live. The impact of increased water temperatures resulting from the loss of riparian vegetation and reduced water flow during warm seasons is difficult to separate from the effects of siltation and other factors that occur concomitantly. However, throughout Illinois, increased water temperatures per se are probably especially harmful to cool-water species, such as northern pike, and species dependent on springs and spring-fed streams, such as the southern redbelly dace and many species of amphipods, isopods, and crayfishes. Stream desiccation is thought to be primarily an effect of the artificially extreme fluctuations in water levels that follow tiling of fields for agriculture. The rapid drainage of surrounding land increases the intensity and prolongs the duration of low-flow once the water has moved downstream. A drought that historically would have had the impact of decreasing the flow in a stream can now lead to a dry stream bed. Floodplains of large rivers normally have low areas that fill with water during floods and survive year-round as shallow lakes. These lakes provide primary habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals, and because they naturally have luxuriant plant growth, they are important feeding areas for waterfowl, and they provide spawning areas, nurseries for larvae, and overwintering refugia for fishes. Unfortunately, most of the bottomland lakes in Illinois have been drained to create cropland, and those that remain have become shallow and barren because of the tremendous silt loads deposited in them each year during periods of high water. The shallow muddy lakes no longer support the plant life that was fundamental to successful completion of the life cycles of many aquatic species. 128 The impacts of introduced fishes include competition, predation, inhibition of reproduction, environmental modification, transfer of parasites and diseases, and hybridization. Freshwater mussels and crayfishes have been seriously impacted in Illinois in recent decades by non-native invaders, most notably the zebra mussel and the rusty crayfish. Nalepa (1994) documented the severe decline in native mussels due to the invasion of zebra mussels in Lake St. Clair over a six-year period. He found that mussel densities declined from 2A/m2 in 1986 to O/m2 in 1992 in areas heavily infested with zebra mussels. The rusty crayfish, introduced through its use as fishing bait, is rapidly spreading through Illinois and displacing native crayfishes (Taylor and Redmer 1996). Point sources of pollution include industrial wastes and domestic sewage. In Illinois, considerable progress has been made in identifying and eliminating point sources of pollution, and water quality has improved as a result. Nonpoint sources are now a larger problem than are point sources and include siltation and agricultural pesticides that reach streams following the removal of floodplain vegetation. Impounding a stream converts it into a standing body of water that lacks the riffles, runs, pools, and other habitats that stream-inhabiting organisms require. When a stream is dammed, most native species are eliminated from the inundated area, and upstream and downstream populations become isolated from one another. Dams block migrations of fishes that in many species are necessary for reproduction. The loss of migratory fishes from a stream ecosystem can lead to the loss of mussels using the migratory fishes as glochidial hosts. Channelization is the straightening of a stream to enhance drainage of the surrounding land. The straightening converts the diversity of habitats in a stream to one continuous straight channel that supports few species. Because of their sedentary nature, mussels are particularly susceptible to the effects of channelization. Potential Management Strategies for Aquatic Species Management strategies for aquatic ecosystems must consider each watershed on an individual basis. Attempting to correct problems locally without consideration of upstream activities and downstream implications will result in partial, and probably temporary, improvement. Correction of some factors that have led to stream habitat fragmentation in past decades is relatively easy. Important initiatives include building sewage treatment plants and avoiding the construction of mainstream impoundments when possible. Other initiatives, such as stopping the removal of riparian vegetation, cessation of stream channelization, and the drainage of bottomland lakes, require more public education and governmental action including, perhaps providing better incentives to landowners. Assuming that pollution will be held at current levels or reduced, nothing will be more beneficial to the biota of Illinois streams than to have natural riparian vegetation restored. Siltation, 129 desiccation, and higher than normal temperatures would all be reduced to acceptable levels if streams were lined with native plants that shaded the stream, stabilized the banks, and filtered sediment and chemicals from runoff before they reached the stream. Most introductions of non-native fishes have been done in an effort to improve sport or commercial fishing, and usually governmental agencies have been responsible for the introductions. 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Summer distribution of the federally endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) in Illinois. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science 89: 187-196. Hoffmeister, D.F 1989. Mammals of Illinois. University of Illinois Press, Urbana and Chicago. 348 pp. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 1997. Biological and conservation database system (BCD), Division of Natural Heritage, Office of Resource Conservation, Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board. 1994. Checklist of endangered and threatened animals and plants of Illinois. Illinois Department of Conservation, Springfield. ii+20 pp. Jackson, H.H.T. 1961. Mammals of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 504 pp. Jones, J.K., Jr., and E.C. Birney. 1988. Handbook of mammals of the north-central states. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. 346 pp. 139 Kurta, A. 1995. Mammals of the Great Lakes region. Revised edition. 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A bibliography of the catalogues, lists, faunal and other papers on the butterflies of North America north of Mexico arranged by state and provine (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 157. 104 pp. Ford, B.B. 1945. Butterflies. The New Naturalist, Collins, London. 368 pp. Glassberg, J. 1993. Butterflies through binoculars. Oxford University Press, New York. 160 pp. Howe, W.H., ed. 1975. The butterflies of North America. Doubleday, Garden City, New York. 633 pp. Iftner, D.C., J.A. Sherry, and J.Y. Calhoun. 1992. Butterflies and skippers of Ohio. Bulletin of the Ohio Biological Survey, new series, 111: 1-212. Irwin, RR, and J.C. Downey. 1973. Annotated checklist of the butterflies of Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey Biological Notes No. 81,60 pp. Klots, A.B. 1951. A field guide to the butterflies of North America, east of the Great Plains. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, MA. 349 pp. Lepidopterists' Society. 1975. Season summary. 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Scientific Publishers, Gainsville, FL. 459 pp. Sedenko, J. 1991. The butterfly garden. Villard Books, New York. 144 pp. Sedman, Y, and D.E Hess. 1985. The butterflies of west central illinois. Western Illinois University Series in the Biological Sciences No. II, 120 pp. Shull, E.M. 1987. The butterflies ofIndiana. Indiana Academy of Science and Indiana University Press, Bloomington and Indianapolis, IN. 262 pp. Sites, R.w., and J.E. McPherson. 1980. A key to the butterflies of Illinois (Lepidoptera: Papilionoldea). The Great Lakes Entomologist 13:97-114. Vane-Wright, R.I., and P.R. Ackery, eds. 1984. The biology of butterflies. Symposia of the Royal Entomological Society of London. Aquatic Biota Brigham, W.U., D.A. McCormick, and M.J. Wetzel. 1978. The watersheds of northeastern Illinois: quality of the aquatic environment based upon water quality and fishery data. Staff Paper No. 31: areawide clean water planning. Prepared by the Illinois Natural History Survey for the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission, Chicago. xii + 251 pp. Burks, B.D. 1953. The mayflies, or Ephemeroptera, of Illinois. Bulletin of the Illinois Natural History Survey 26(1):1-216. Cummings, K.S., and C.A Mayer. 1997. Distributional checklist and status of illinois freshwater mussels (Mollusca: Unionacea). Pages 129-145 in K.S. Cummings, AC. Buchanan, C.A Mayer, and TJ. Naimo, eds. Conservation and management of freshwater mussels II: initiatives for the future. Proceedings of a UMRCC Symposium, 16-18 October 1995, St. Louis Missouri. Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee, Rock Island, Illinois. 293 pp. Ecological Analysts, Inc. 1984. Des Plaines River benthic macroinvertebrate survey - January 1984. Project report prepared for Commonwealth Edison Company, Chicago. iv + 15 pp. + Appendix [pp. 1-12]. 142 Forbes, S.A., and RE. Richardson. 1908. The fishes of Illinois. Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History, Danville. cxxxvi + 357 pp. Frison, T.H. 1935. The stoneflies, or Plecoptera, of Illinois. Bulletin of the Illinois Natural History Survey. 20(4):281-471. Herkert, J.R 1992. Endangered and threatened species in Illinois: status and distribution, Volume 2 - animals. Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board, Springfield. iv + 142 pp. Herkert, J.R 1994. Endangered and threatened species in Illinois: status and distribution, Volume 3 - 1994 changes to the Illinois list of endangered and threatened species. Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board, Springfield. IV + 33 pp. Hey, D.L., M.A. Cardamone, J.H. Sather, and W.J. Mitch. 1989. Restoration of riverine wetlands: the Des Plaines River Wetlands Demonstration Project. Pages 159-183, in: W. J. Mitch and S.E. Jrgensen, eds. Ecological engineering: An introduction to ecotechnology. John Wiley & Sons, New York. Hite, RL., and B.A. Bertrand. 1989. Biological Stream Characterization (BSC) : A biological assessment of Illinois stream quality. Illinois State Water Plan Task Force Special Report. 13:1-42 + map. Illinois Department of Natural Resources 1998. Upper Des Plaines Area Assessment, Volume 4. Socio-economic profile, environmental quality, and archaeological resources. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, Illinois. Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board. 1994. Checklist of endangered and threatened animals and plants of Illinois. Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board, Springfield. ii + 20 pp. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. 1996. Illinois water quality report (1994-95). State of Illinois, Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Water Pollution Control, Planning Section, Springfield. 241 pp. Lauck, D.R 1959. The taxonomy and bionomics of the aquatic Hemiptera of Illinois. Unpub!. M.S. thesis, University of Illinois, Urbana. xxii + 353 pp. Malloch, J.R. 1915a. The Chironomidae, or midges, of Illinois, with particular reference to the species occurring in the Illinois River. Bulletin of the Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History 10(6):275-543. Malloch, J.R 1915b. Some additional records of Chironomidae for Illinois and notes on other Illinois Diptera. Bulletin of the Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History 11(4): 305-363. Mitch, W.J. 1996. Managing the worlds wetlands: preserving and enhancing their ecological functions. Verhandlungen Intemationale Vereinigung fr Theoretische und Angenwandte Limnologie 26(1): 139-147. Mitch, w.J., J.K. Cronk, X. Wu, RW. Nairn, and D.L. Hey. 1995. Phosphorus retention in constructed freshwater riparian marshes. Ecological Applications 5:830-845. Nalepa, T.p. 1994. Decline of native unionid bivalves in Lake St. Clair after infestation by the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 51(10):2227-2233. 143 ------_._-_. Page, L.M., K.S. Cummings, C.A. Mayer, S.L. Post, and M.E. Retzer. 1992. Biologically significant Illinois streams. An evaluation of the streams of Illinois based on aquatic biodiversity. Final report prepared for the Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources and the liIinois Department of Conservation. Illinois Natural History Survey, Center for Biodiversity Technical Report 1992(1a): v +485 p. Ross, H.H. 1944. The caddisflies, or Trichoptera, of Illinois. Bulletin of the Illinois Natural History Survey. 23(1): 1-326. Sanville, W., and W. J. Mitch, eds. 1994. Creating freshwater marshes in a riparian landscape: research at the Des Plaines River Wetland Demonstration Project. Eco1. Eng. 3:315-521. Schacht, RA., and W. Matsunaga. 1977a. A biological investigation of the Des Plaines River from the Wisconsin State Line to Joliet, Illinois. May - November 1975. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Water Pollution Control, State of Illinois. iii + 59 pp. Schacht, RA., and W. Matsunaga. 1977b. A biological investigation ofthe DuPage River. March - September 1975. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Water Pollution Control, State of Illinois. iv + 28 pp. Schwegman, J.E. 1973. Comprehensive plan for the Illinois nature preserves system. Part 2. The natural divisions of Illinois. Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, Springfield, Illinois. 32 pp. Smith, P.W. 1979. The fishes of Illinois. University of Illinois Press, Urbana. xxix + 314 pp. Sparks, RE., K.D. Blodgett, G.L. Warren, and MJ. Wetze1. 1986. Macroinvertebrate communities. Pages 15-35 (+ tables) in RE. Sparks, P.P. Tazik, K.D. Blodgett, G. L. Warren, and MJ. Wetze1. Des Plaines River Long-Term Monitoring Program: phase 1 Report. Final report submitted to Commonwealth Edison Co., Chicago, Illinois. llIinois Natural History Survey Aquatic Biology Section Technical Report 1986(6). iii + 11Opp. Taylor, SJ. 1996. Habitat preferences, species assemblages, and resource partitioning by Gerromorpha (Insecta: Heteroptera) in southern Illinois, with a faunal list and keys to species of the state. Unpub1. Ph.D. thesis, Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. xviii + 345 pp. Taylor, C. A., and M. Redmer. 1996. Dispersal ofthe crayfish Orconectes rusticus in Illinois, with notes on species displacement and habitat preference. Journal of Crustacean Biology 16:547-551. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 1995. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants. 31 October 1995. 50 CFR 17.11 & 17.12. 44 pp. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 1996. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; review of plant and animal taxa that are candidates for listing as endangered or threatened. Proposed Rule. 28 February 1996. Federal Register 61(40): 7596-7613. FR Doc. 96-4412. Vidal, P.J. 1969. DuPage County surface water resources. Illinois Department of Conservation, Division of Fisheries, Springfield. 168 pp. 144 Vierling, P.E. 1977. Illinois county canoe trails: DuPage River, Kankakee River, Aux Sable Creek, and Des Plaines River. Illinois County Outdoor Guides, Guidebook No. 4, Chicago. 84 pp. Wetzel, M.J. 1992. Aquatic Annelida of Illinois: Introduction and checklist of species. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science 85(1 and 2):87 101. Wooldridge, D.P. 1967. The aquatic Hydrophilidae of Illinois. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science 60(4):422-431). 145 Appendix 1 Incomplete list of vascular plants known from the Upper Des Plains Assessment Area with notes on their habitat associations!". FOREST PRAIRIE SAY. WETLAND LIP Cult. Upland Floodplain Flatwd Prairie Say. Marsh Swam~ Fen S.M. Seep rommon N.me',4 Scientifil' N~mp3,4 dm m w wm m n. flats mwm w dm/m ma ss cfm/gf sm seep lip cult. alternate-leaved Comus altemifolia x dogwood American bindweed Calystegia sepium x x x American black Ribes americanum x x x x currant American bulrush Scirpus americanus x x American cranberry Vaccinium bog! SE macrocarpon - SE American dog violet ~ Viola conspersa - ST x x ST American elm Ulmus americana x 1_ x x x American larch· ST Larix Iaricina • ST bog! American pennyroyal Hedeoma pulegioides x American slough Beckmannia x! grass - SE syzigachne - SE American spikenard Aralia racemosa x American vetch Vida americana x Amur honeysuckle* Lonicera maackii* x x x anise-root OsmorhiZQ longistylis x annual bedstraw Galium aparine x x x x annual ground cherry Physalis pubescens x arrowleaf Sagittaria latifolia x x x arrowleaf aster Aster sagittifolius x asparagus* Asparagus officinalis* x Aunt Lucy Ellisia nyctelea x x autumn bent grass Agrostis perennans x awl-fruited sedge Carex tribuloides x awnless brorne grass* Bromus inermis* x x balsam groundsel Senecio pauperculus x x barnyard grass* Echinochloa cruS x gal/i* basswood Tilia americana X bastard toadflax Comandra umbellata x beaked rush - ST Rhynchospora alba - x! ST beaked sedge· ST Carex rostrata - ST x x x 147 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRIE SAV. WETLAND LIP Cult. Upland Floodplain Flalwd Prairie Say. Marsh SwamI: Fen S.M. Seen Common NameJ,4 Scientifil' NnmeJ,4 drn rn w wrn rn n. flats rnwrn w drnlrn rna ss cfm/gf srn seep lip cult. Bebb willow Salix bebbiana x biennial gaura Gaura biennis x big bluestem Andropogon gerard;; Xx x x big tooth aspen Populus grandidentata x -- x x big-leaved aster Aster macrophyllus x x bitter cress Cardamine x x x pensylvanica bitternut hickory Carya cordifarmis x x bittersweet Solanum dulcamara * x x x x x x x nightshade* black ash Fraxinus nigra x x x x black cherry Prunus serotina x x x x x black haw Viburnum prunifolium x x blackrnaple Acer nigrum x black medic* Medicago lupulina* x black oak Quercus velutina X x x black raspberry Rubus occidentalis x x x x black snakeroot Sanicula canadensis x x - x x x black walnut Juglans nigra x x black willow SaLix nigra x x x x ------black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta x x - - black-seeded rice Oryzopsis racemosa x grass - ST ST bladder fern Cystopsis bulbifera x bladdernut Staphylea tri/olia x x x ------bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis x ---- blue beech Carpinus caroliniana x - blue bells Mertensia virginica x x blue cohosh Caulophyllum x thalictroides blue flag Iris shrevei x x x x blue joint grass Calamagrostis x X X X canadensis blue leaf willow Salix glaucophylloides x x x var. glaucophylla - blue lobelia Lobelia siphilitica x x --- --~~- ~-- blue skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora x x x x x blue vervain Verbena hastata - x x blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium albidum x x blunt-scaled wood Carex albursina x sedge bog bedstraw· ST Galium labradomum - x x ST bog willow Salix pedicellaris var. x hypoglauca bog willow herb Epilobium leptophyllum x x , - - x bottlebrush grass Elymus hystrix x - - x Carex hystricina x x x bottlebrush sedge ------box elder Acer negundo x XX x bristly catbrier Smilax hispida x x x 148 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRIE SAY. WETLAND LIP Cult. Upland Floodplain Flatwd Prairie Say. Marsh Swarnt Fen S.M. Sew 3 3 Common Name ,4 1.l;,J.cipntific Name ,4 drn rn w wrn rn n. flats mwm w dm/m rna ss cfrn/gf srn seep lip cult. bristly crowfoot Ranunculus x pensylvanicus bristly sunflower Helianthus hirsutus x broad-leaved wooly Carex lanuginosa x x X sedge broadleaf goldenrod Solidago flexicaulis x brome grass Bromus purgans x brook flat sedge Cyperus rivularis 1 ~ buckbean Menyanthes trifoliata x var. minor bugle weed Lycopus virginicus x bulb bittereress Cardamine bulbosa x x x x x bulblet water hemlock Cicuta bulbifera x x bull thistle* Cirsium vulgare* x bulrush Scirpus atrovirens x x hulrush Scirpus cyperinus x x bulrush· SE Scupushaftonmnus- x SE bur oak Quercus macrocarpa X X x x x bur-reed Sparganium X x eurycarpum burning bush* Euonymous alatus* x x x bush clover Lespedeza capitata x butterfly weed Asclepias tuberosa x ssp. interior f------ butternut Juglans cinerea x x -- button bush Cephalanthus x x x occidentalis button weed* Abutilon theophrasti* x Buxbaum sedge Carex buxbaumii x x x Canada bluegrass* Poa compressa* x x x x Canada goldenrod Solidago canadensis x x x x x Canada mayflower Maianthemum x canadense Canada thistle* Cirsium arvense* x x Canada wild rye Elymus canadensis x x - - cancer-root Conophilis americana x x candle anemone Anemone cylindrica x cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis x Carolina sedge Carex caroliniana x carrion flower Smilax lasioneuron x x chickweed Stellaria longifolia x x choke cherry Prunus virginiana x x Christmas fern Polystichum x x acrostichoides cinnamon willow herb Epilobium coloratum x x - - -~ clammy ground cherry Physalis heterophylla x - I clearweed Pilea fontana x x clearweed Pilea pumila x x closed gentian Gentiana andrewsii x x x x 149 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRIE SAY. WETLAND LIP Cult. Unland Floodnlain Flatwd Prairie Say. Marsh Swamr Fen S.M. Seen g 3 dm m w wm m dm/m sm cult. Common N me ,4 Scientific NameJ.4 n. flats mwm w ma ss cfmigf seep lip cockspur thorn Crataegus crus-gaUl x x columbine Aquilegia canadensis x common beggar ticks Bidens frondosa x common blackberry Rubus allegheniensis x x common blackberry Rubus pensylvanicus x x common bladderwort Utricularia vulgaris x common blue violet Viola pratincola x x x x x x x common bog arrow Triglochin maritima· x grass· SE SE common boneset Eupatorium x x x x perfoUarum common buckthorn* Rhamnus carhartiea* x x x x common bur sedge Carex grayi x x common burdock* Arctium minus* x x common cattail Typha lali/alia X x x common chickweed* Stellaria media* x common cinquefoil Potentilia simplex x x x x common golden star Hypoxis hirsuta x x x x grass - -- common horsetail Equisetum arvense x x x x x common ironweed Vernoniafasciculata x x common milkweed Asclepias syriaca x x x common mountain Pycnanthemum x x x mint virginianum common mouse-ear Cerastium vulgatum* x chickweed* common nettle Urtica dioica x x common peppergrass Lepidium virginicum x common phlox Phlox divaricata x x x common plantain Plantago major x common plantain Plantago rugelii x x common ragweed Ambrosia artemisilfolia x x common reed Phragmites australis x x common snakeroot Sanicula gregaria x x x x common St. John's- Hypericum x wort* perjoratum* common tussock sedge Carex stricta x x X common water Lycopus americanus x x x horehound common water Alisma plantago x x plantain aquatica var. parviflorum - Dryopteris intermedia x common woodfern - - common yarrow* Achillea millefolium * x x -- compass plant Silphium laciniatum x x coontail Ceratophyllum x demersum -- cord root sedge - SE Carex chordo"hiza bog! SE cotton sedge Eriophorum x angustifolium 150 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRIE SAY. WETLAND LIP Cult. Upland Floodplain Platwd Prairie Say. Marsh Swam Pen S.M. Seep 3 p3 Common Name ,4 Scientific Narn ,4 dm m w wm m n. flats mwm w dm/m ma ss cfmJgf sm seep lip cult. cottonwood Populus deltoides X x x cow herb* Vaccaria pyramidata* crack willow* Salixfragilis* x - -- x Crawe's sedge ~ ST Carex crawei - ST xl Crawford's oval Carex crawfordii • SE xl sedge - SE cream wild indigo Baptisia leucophaea x creeping Charlie* Glechoma hederacea* x x x x x crown vetch* Coronilla varia * x Culver's root Veronicastrum x x x x x virginicum curly dock* Rumex crispus* -- x curly pondweed* Potamogeton crispus* x curly-styled wood Carex rosea X X X x sedge cut-leaved teasel* Dipsacus laciniatus* x I---I~-- daisy fleabane Erigeron annuus x x x daisy fleabane Erigeron strigosus x dandelion* Taraxacum officinale* x x l dewberry Rubus flagellaris x x ditch stonecrop Penthorum sedoides x ------doll's eyes Actaea pachypoda x dotted hawthorn Crataegus punctata x x downy arrowwood Viburnum x x rafinesquianum - downy gentian Gentiana puberulenta x -- downy Solomon's seal Polygonatum x -ST pubescens - ST downy sunflower Helianthus mollis x x 1--- downy willow herb - Epilobium strictum· x ST ST downy-blue violet Viola sororia x x x - drooping coneflower Ratibida pinnata x --x -- Drummond's aster Aster drummondii x x x duckweed Lemna minor -- x x Dudley's rush Juncus dudleyi x x Dutchman's breeches Dicentra cucullaria x x dwarf birch Betula pumila -- x dwarf raspberry - ST Rubus pubescells - ST x x ear-leaved fox glove - Tomanthera auneulala x ST -ST I - early buttercup Ranunculus jascicularis x --I early goldenrod Solidago juncea x ------early horse gentian Triosteum aurantiacum x --I- Thalictrum dioicum x early meadow rue I~ - eelgrass Vallisneria americana x elderberry Sambucus canadensis x x I----- elm-leaved goldenrod Solidago ulmifolia x 151 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRIE SAY. WETLAND LIP Cult. Upland Floodplain PI.twd Prairie Say. Marsh Swam Pen S.M. SeeD 3 m w wm n. flats ;Common Namp3,4 Scientific Nattle ,4 dm m mwm w dm/m m. ss cfmlgf sm seep lip cult. enchanter's nightshade Circaea lutetlana x x x European high bush Viburnum opulus* x x x cranberry* ------evening primrose Oenothera biennis x -- x everbsting Antennaria x x plantaginifolia false aster Boltonia asteroides - - -- x false dandelion Krigia bijlora x - x false dragonhead Physostegia virginiana x x x --- false foxglove Agalinis purpurea x x - I -- false mermaid Floerkea x x x proserpinacoides --- false nettle Boehmeria cylindrica x x x - false nettle Boehmeria cylindrica vaT. drummondiana --- false rue anenome lsopyrum biternatum x x false Solomon's seal Smilacina racemosa x x x ----- fern Cystopsisfragilis x fern poudweed • SE Potamogeton robbinsii x! SE ---- field bindweed* Convolvulus arvensis* x field goldenrod Solidago nemoralis x field mint Mentha arvensis var. x x x villosa field penny cress* Thlaspi arvense * field thistle Cirsium discolor x fire weed Erechtites hieracifolia x firepink Silene virginica x flowering spurge Euphorbia corollata x x forked chickweed Paronychia canadensis x x fowl blue grass Poa palustrus - x fow I manna grass Glyceria striata x x x fox sedge Carex vulpinoidea x x foxglove beard-tongue Penstemon digitalis x x x x 1- foxtail barley* Hordeum jubatum* x Fraser's St. John's-wort Triadenumfraseri x fringed gentian Gentianopsis crinita x fringed loosestrife Lysimachia ciliata x x garlic mustard* Alliaria petiolata* x x x --x x giant foxtail* Setariafaberi* x giant ragweed Ambrosia trifida x x x x ginseng Panax quinquefolius x Rhamnus frangula* x x x x x glossy buckthorn* - x golden Alexanders Zizia aurea x x x Tanacetum vulgare* x golden buttons* - golden ragwort Senecio aureus x goldeu sedge. SE Carex aurea - SE x ! 152 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRIE SAY. WETLAND LIP Cult. Upland Floodplain Flatwd Prairie Say. Marsh Swam Fen S.M. Seep 3 3 dm m w wm Common Name ,4 Sl'jpntific Name ,4 m n. flats mwm w dmlm ma ss cfm/gf sm seep Vp cult. goldenglow Rudbeckia laciniata x x goldenseal Hydrastis canadensis x graceful sedge Carex gracillima x -- grape honeysuckle Lonicera prolifera x x - grass-leaved goldenrod Euthamia graminifolia x x x x grass-leaved Potamogeton xl pondweed • SE gramineus • SE grass-of-Parnassus Parnassia glauca x x gray dogwood Cornus racemosa x x x x x x great bulrush Scirpus acutus x x great white lettuce Prenanthes crepidinea x green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica x x x x green dragon Arisaema dracontium x x - - green-stemmed Joe- Eupatorium purpureum x Pye-weed ground cherry Physalis virginiana x_ x x hackberry Celtis acciden/alis x -x - x x hairy beard-tongue Penstemon hirsutus x ------hairy hedge nettle Stachys tenuifolia var. x x x hispida hairy white violet ~ Viola incognita - SE x x SE hairy wood sedge Carex hirtifolia x x x x hairy-fruited lake Carex trichocarpa x sedge --- hawthorn Crataegus pruinosa x x x ------I--- hawthorn Crataegus succulenta x Hayden's sedge Carex haydenii x x hazelnut Corylus americana x x x x heart-leaved willow Salix rigida x x heath aster Aster ericoides x helleborine* Epipactis helleborine* x x high bush cranberry Viburnum recognitum x x - 1------Hill's oak Quercus ellipsoidalis x x hoary puccoon L~thospennum x x canescens ------I hoary willow Salix candida x hog peanut Amphicarpa bracteata x x x honewort Cryptotaenia x x x canadensis - honeysuckle* Lonicera X bella' x x hop hornbeam Ostrya virginiana x -x - homed pondweed umnichellia palustris -- x horsetail milkweed Asclepias verticillata x horseweed Conyza canadensis x Indian grass Sorghastrum nutans x ---x Indian hemp Apocynum cannabinum x x Indian hemp Apocynum sibiricum x Indian pipe Monotropa uniflora x - -- inland rush ]uncus interior x x 153 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRIE SAV. WETLAND LIP Cult. Upland Floodplain Flatwd Prairie Say. Marsh Swamr Fen S.M. Seep 3 dm m w wm m mwm w I'nmmou Name" Scientific Ngrne ,4 n. flats dmlm rna ss cfmlgf sm seep lip cult. inland sedge Carex interior x x x Iowa crabapple Malus ioensis x x I~ ivy-leaved duckweed Lemna trisulca x Jack-in-the-pulpit Arisaema triphyllum x x x Jacob's ladder Polemonium replans x James' sedge Carex jamesii x x Japanese barberry* Berberis thunbergii* x x Jerusalem artichoke Helianthus tuberosus x jointed rush ]uncus nodosus x June grass Koeleria macrantha . x Kentucky bluegrass* Poa pratensis* x x x x x x king devil* Hieracium x x caespitosum* knotty-leaved rush }uncus acuminatus x lady fern Athyrium angus/urn x x -- lake sedge Carex lacustris x x x lake shore rush Juncus balticus x x lamb's quarters* Chenopodium album* x lance-leaved Lysimachia lanceolata x x loosestrife large white trillium Trillium grandiflorum x late boneset Eupatorium serotinum x x late figwort Scrophularia x x marilandica late goldenrod Solidago gigantea x x x -- leadplant Amorpha canescens x leafy pondweed Potamogetonfoliosus x lions foot Prenanthes alba x little blue stem Schizachyrium x scoparium little green sedge· SE Carex viridula • SE x little pussy toes Antennaria neglecta x x liverleaf Hepatica nobilis var. x acuta long-awned bracted Carex gravida sedge long-beaked sedge Carex sprengelii x x long-haired panic grass Dicanthelium x villosissimum var. praecocius loose-headed bracted Carex sparganioides x x sedge loosestrife Lysimachia quadriflora x x x lopseed Phryma leptostachya x -- Pedicularis canadensis x lousewort - maidenhair fern Adiantum pedatum x x --- manna grass. Glyceria x septentrionalis -- maple-leaved Viburnum acerijolium x arrowwood - - marginal fern Dryopteris marginalis x -- 154 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRIE SAY. WETLAND LIP Cult. Upland Floodplain Flatwd Prairie Say. Marsh Swamp Fen S.M. Seeo J J Common Name ,4 Scientific Name ,4 dm m w wm m n. flats mwm w dm/m ma ss cfm/gf sm seep Up cult. marsh bellflower Campanula x aparinoides marsh bellflower Campanula uliginosa - x marsh blazing star Liatris spicata x --x x x marsh cinquefoil Poten/illa palustris x marsh fern Thelypteris palustris x x x var. pubescens marsh fleabane Erigeron x x x philadelphicus marsh marigold Caltha palustris --x x x X marsh purslane Ludwigia palustris var. x x americana -- marsh skullcap Scutellaria galericulata x x marsh speedwell· ST Veronica scutellata • x ST -- marsh vetchling Lathyrus palustris x x x x I marsh wild Timothy Muhlenbergia x glomerata - mayapple Podophyllum peltatum x x x ------Mead's stiff sedge Carex meadi; x meadow anenome Anemone canadensis x x - meadow fescue* Festuca pratensis* x x x meadow parsnip Oxypolis rigidior x x x x x x meadow parsnip Thaspium trifoliatum x ------meadow rose Rosa blanda x - _x meadow sedge Carex granularis x x x x x ------meadow sweet Spiraea alba X x mermaid weed Proserpinaca palustris x ------I-- --- mild water pepper Polygonum x x hydropiperoides ------millet grass -SE Milium effusum - SE x - - -- Missouri goldenrod Solidago missouriensis x - -- Missouri gooseberry Ribes missouriense x x x moneywort* Lysimachia x nummularia* ------monkey flower Mimulus ringens x x x moonseed Menispennum x x canadense mountain blue-eyed Sisyrinchium x grass - SE montanum - SE ------multiflora rose* Rosa multiflora* x x x x x x musk thistle* Carduus nutans* xI -- x Najas flexilis x naiad - - - nannyberry Viburnum lentago x x narrow-leaved cattail* Typha angustifolia* x x x narrow-leaved oval Carex tenera x x x x sedge -- narrow-leaved woolly Carex lasiocarpa x sedge 155 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRIE SAY. WETLAND LIP Cult. Upland Floodplain Flatwd Prairie Say. Marsh Swamr Fen S.M. Seep Common N~mp3,4 1.'O:cipntific N~ft1 ..J,4 dm m w wm m n. flats mwm w dmlm ma ss cfmlgf sm seep lip cult. needle spike rush Eleocharis acicularis --- x New England aster Aster novae-angliae x x New Jersey tea Ceanothus americanus - x --x x nimble will Muhlenbergia x x schreberi - -- -- ninebark Physocarpus x x opuLifolius nodding beggar ticks Bidens cernua x nodding ladies' tresses Spiranthes cernua x nodding onion Allium cernuum x Xx northern bedstraw Galium boreale x x ------northern blue violet Viola nephrophylla - x northern bugle weed LycolJus uniflorus x -- northern cranesbill - Geranium bicknellii x SE SE northern grape fern - Botrychium x! SE multifidum - SE ------northern white cedar Thuja occidentalis (*) x northern willow herb Epilobium cilialum x Ohio buckeye Aesculus glabra x -- Ohio spiderwort Tradescantia ohiensis x x x Ontario aster Aster ontarionis x x - orange day lily* Hemerocallis fulva* x orange hawkweed* Hieracium x x aurantiacum* - 1 - ------orchard grass* Dactylis glomerata* x ------~------ostrich fern Matteuccia x strnthiopteris ------ox-eye daisy* Leucanthemum x x vulgare * pale dock Rumex altissimus x --I pale dogwood Comus obliqua x x pale Indian plantain Cacalia atriplicifolia x pale touch·me-not Impatiens pal/ida x x pale vetchling - ST Lathyrns ochroleucus x x ST pale-leaved sunflower Helianthus strumosus x - - -- panic grass Dicanthelium x x x acuminatum var. lfasciculatum panic grass Dicanthelium latifolium x x panicJed aster Aster simplex x x parsnip* Pastinaca sativa* x partridge pea Cassiafasciculata x pasture rose Rosa carolina -- x x x path rush Juncus tenuis x --x x peach-leaved willow Salix amygdaloides x pellitory Parietaria pensylvanica x x petioled willow Salix petiolaris x x plumeless thistle* Carduus acanthoides* x 156 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRIE SAY. WETLAND LIP Cult. Upland Floodplain Flatwd Prairie Say. Marsh Swamr Fen S.M. Seep Common N~meJ,4 1.l;,J.cientific Name3.4 dm m w wm m n. flats mwm w dm/m rna ss cfm/gf sm seep lip cult. pointed tick trefoil Desmodium glutinosum x poison ivy Toxicodendron x x x x x radicans -- pokeweed Phylalacea americana x porcupine grass Stipa spartea - -- x poverty oat grass Danthonia spicala x x prairie alumroot Heuchera richardsonii -- x prairie blazing star Liatris pycnostachya x prairie cinquefoil Potentilla argula x - prairie cord grass Spartina pectinata x X x x prairie coreopsis Coreopsis palmara x prairie dock Silphium x x terebinthinaceum - prairie dropseed Sporobolus helero/epis x - - prairie lily LiLium philadelphicum x x prairie milkweed Asclepias sullivantii x x ------x prairie panic grass Dicanthelium leibergii x prairie phlox Phlox pilosa x x prairie rose Rosa setigera x prairie sundrops Oenothera pilosella x I~ ---- --- prairie sunflower Helianthus rigidus x prairie switchgrass Panicum virgatum x ------prairie white-fringed Platanthera x x orchid· SE, FT leucophaea • SE, FT pretty sedge - SE Carex woodii - SE x prickly ash Zanthoxylum x x americanum prickly gooseberry Ribes cynosbati x x ------prickly lettuce* Lactuca serriola* x prickly sedge Carex stipata x x x x x x purple cress Cardamine douglasii - x ------x purple fringed orchid Platanthera psycodes • x -SE SE ------purple giant hyssop Agastache x x scrophulariaejolia purple loosestrife* Lythrum salicaria* x x purple meadow rue Thalictrum dasycarpum x x x x ------purple milkweed Asclepias purpurascens x purple oxalis Oxalis violacea x x purple prairie clover Dalea purpurea x purslane speedwell Veronica peregrina x x x x pussy willow Salix discolor ------quack grass* Agropyron repens* x quaking aspen Populus tremuloides x x x x Queen Anne's lace* Daucus carota* x x x queen of the prairie· Filipendula rubra - ST x ST -- 157 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRIE SAV. WETLAND LIP Cult. Upland Floodplain Flatwd Prairie Say. Marsh Swarn~ Fen S.M. Seep 3 Common Name ,4 Scientific Name3.4 drn rn w wrn rn n. flats rnwrn w dm/rn rna ss cfrn/gf srn seep lip cult. raspberry* Rubusidaeus* x rattlesnake fern Botrychium x x virginianum rattlesnake master Eryngium yuccifolium x rattlesnake plantain Goodyera pubescens x? x I red bulrush Scirpus pendulus x - --- red cedar Juniperus virginiana x x red c1over* Trifolium pratense* x ~ red haw Crataegus mollis x x x red maple Acer rubrum x x - - -- red oak Quercus rubra x X x red raspberry Rubus strigosus x red top* Agrostis alba x x * - - -- red trillium Trillium recurvatum x x x - - red-osier dogwood Comus stolonifera - x x x reed canary grass* Phalaris arundinacea* x x X x rice cutgrass Leersia oryzoides x x Riddell's goldenrod Solidago riddellii -- x x x rigid goldenrod Solidago rigida x x x river bulrush Scirpus fluviatilis -- x X x riverbank grape Vilis riparia x x x x rocket* Hesperis matronalis* ~x x rosinweed Silphium integrifolium x x rough avens Geum laciniatum x x x x rough blazing star Liatris aspera x x rough pennyroyal Hedeoma hispida x ---- rough-clustered sedge Carex cephalophora x x rough-leaf goldenrod Solidago patula x x round-leaved Celastrus orbiculatus* x bittersweet* " - - round-leaved sundew Drosera rotundifolia • bog! -SE SE rue anenome Thalictrum x x thalictroides ------running strawberry Euonymousobovata x bush - --- rush JuncusbrachycaTjOus x ------rush aster Aster borealis x sandbar willow Salix exigua x x x x sandwort Moehringia laterijlora x Sartwell sedge Carex sartwellii xx x x savanna sedge Carex pensylvanica x x x x x saw-toothed sunflower Helianthus x x x x grosseserratus - scouring rush Equisetum hyemale var. x affine Scribner's panic grass Dicanthelium x x x oligosanthes var. scribnerianum - - seaside crowfoot e SE Ranunculus x! cymbalaria • SE - sedge Carex alopecoidea x 158 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRffi SAY. WETLAND LIP Cult. Upland Floodplain Flatwd Prairie Say. Marsh Swamp Fen S.M. Seep rommon N:lImeJ,4 Srientifil' NameJ.4 dm m w wm m n. flats mwm w dm/m rna ss cfm/gf sm seep Vp cult. sedge Carex amphibola x sedge Carex blanda x x sedge Carex annectens x x x sedge Carex bromoides x sedge Carex conjuncta x x x sedge Carex cristatella x x x x sedge Carex crus·corvii x x sedge Carex laxiflora x sedge Carex lupulijormis x x sedge Carex lupulina x x sedge Carex molesta x sedge Carex muskingumensis x x sedge Carex oligocarpa x x sedge Carex prairea x sedge Carex retroflexa x sedge Carex sterilis x x sedge Carex suberecta x sedge Carex tetanica x seedbox Ludwigia alternifolia x - self-heal * Prunella vulgaris* x sensitive fern Onoclea sensibilis x x x x shagbark hickory Carya ovala x x x shining bedstraw Galium concinnum x x shooting star Dodecatheon meadia x x x x x showy tick trefoil Desmodium canadense x side-flowered aster Aster lateriflorus -x x x side-oats grama Boutelaua curtipendula x silky willow Salix sericea x silver maple Acer saccharinum XX skunk cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus x x x X sky-blue aster Aster azureus x slender bog arrow- Triglochin palustlis • x x grass· SE SE slender wild rye Elymus villosus x x x slippery elm Ulmus rubra x x x x ~ - -- small flowered bitter Cardamine parviflora x cress var. arenicola small skullcap Scutellaria parvula x x - I- small sundrops - SE Oenothera perennis - x SE I- - - small-tlowered Ranunculus abortivus x crowfoot -- - small-fruited agrimony Agrimonia parviflora x - smartweed Polygonum x x pensylvanicum smooth beard-tongue Penstemon calycosus x smooth blue aster Aster laevis x I- Phlox glaberrima x x x smooth phlox - - - Rhus glabra x smooth sumac '-- 159 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRIE SAY. WETLAND LIP Cult. Upland Floodplain Flatwd Prairie Say. Marsh SwarnD Fen S.M. Seep 3 3 Common Name ,4 I~cientific Name ,4 dm m w wm m n. flats mwm w dm/m ma ss cfm/gf sm seep Up cult. smooth yellow violet Viola pubescens var. x x eriocarpa - - sneezeweed Helenium autumnale x x ~ soft-stemmed bulrush Scirpus x x tahernaemontanii Solomon's seal Polygonatum x x x commutatum sourthem arrowwood Viburnum den/alum x spike lobelia Lobelia spicata x spike rush Eleocharis erythropoda x x spike rush Eleocharis x x macrostachya - - -- spike rush Eleocharis obtusa x spiked water milfoil Myriophyllum x exalbescens spinulose woodfem Dryopteris carthusiana x x x spotted centaurea* Centaurea maculosa* x spotted Joe-Pye-weed Eupatorium maculaturn x x x x x x spotted touch-me-not Impatiens capensis x x x x x x spreading dogbane Apocynum x x androsaemifolium spreading oval sedge Carex nonnalis x spring avens Geum vernum x x x spring beauty CLaytonia virginica x x squirrel corn Dicentra canadensis -x - staghorn sumac Rhus typhina x starry catchfly Silene stellata x starry false Solomon's Smilacina stellata x x seal - stickseed Hackelia virginiana x x x stiff bedstraw Galium obtusum x stiff bedstraw GaLium tinctorium x x stiff gentian Gentiana quinque/oLia x stout wood reed Cinna arundinacea x x straw·colored flat Cyperus strigosus x sedge sugar maple Acer saccharum x X x sulfur cinquefoil* Potentilla recta* x swamp aster Aster puniceus x x swamp buttercup Ranunculus x x x septentrionaLis swamp candle Lysimachia terrestris x Rumex verticillatus x swamp dock - swamp goldenrod SoLidago uliginosa x swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata x X x x swamp saxifrage Saxifraga pensylvanica x swamp tickseed Bidens tripartita x swamp white oak Quercus bicolor x x X - -~- swamp wood betony PedicuLaris Lanceolata x x x sweet Cicely Osmorhiza claytonii x 160 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRIE SAV. WETLAND LIP Cult. Uoland Floodolain Flatwd Prairie Say. Marsh Swam" Fen S.M. Seeo 3 3 dm m w wm n.flats mwm dm/m sm seep cult. Common Name ,4 Scientific Name ,4 m w rna ss cfm/gf Vp sweet flag Acarus americanus x x sweet grass HierochLoe odorata x x x x sweet-scented Galium triflorum x bedstraw swollen sedge ~ SE Carex intumescens - x! SE sycamore Platanus occidentalis x x tall agrimony Agrimonia gryposepala x x x tall anemone Anemone virginiana x x x x tall bellflower Campanula americana - x tall boneset Eupatorium altissimum x x tall swamp marigold Bidens coranata x x --~ tall thistle Cirsium altissimum x Tartarian Lonicera talariea* x x x x x honeysuckle* three-seeded mercury Acalypha rhomboidea x thyme-leaved Arenaria serpyllifolia* x sandwort* Timothy* Phleum pratense* x toothwort Dentaria laciniata x x - --- Torrey rush Juncus torreyi x x tree-of-heaven* Ailanthus altissima * x Tuckerman's sedge- Carex tuckmeranii • x SE SE tufted loosestrife Lysimachia thrysiflora x x twin leaf Jeffersonia diphylla x - upright smilax Smilax ecirrhata x x x veiny pea Lathyrus venosus var. x intonsus Venus' looking-glass Triodanis perfoliata x - Virginia creeper Parthenocissus inserta x - - Virginia creeper Parthenocissus x x x x quinquefolia Virginia knotweed Polygonum x virginianum Virginia waterleaf Hydrophyllum x x x virginianum Virginia wild rye Elymus virginicus x x x wahoo Euonymus x atropurpureus -- water cress* Nasturtium officinale* x -- water dock Rumex orbiculatus x x water hemlock Cicuta maculata x x x x x water horsetail Equisetumfluviatile - - water milfoil Myriophyllum x heterophyllum - water parsnip Sium suave x x water smartweed Polygonum amphibium x x x 161 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRIE SAY. WETLAND LIP Cult. Unland Floodnlain Flatwd Prairie Say. Marsh Swamr Fen S.M. Seen Common N ... meJ,4 ~cientific NameJ,4 drn rn w wrn rn n.flats rnwrn w dm/m rna ss cfrn/gf srn seep Vp cult. waterleaf Hydrophyllum x appendiculatum --- waterweed Elodea canadensis x waxy meadow rue Thalictrum revolutum x x x x western snowberry Symphoricarpos x occidentalis wheat sedge Carex atherodes x x - --- x white ash Fraxinus americana . x x x white avens Geum canadense x x x white clover* Trifolium repens* - --I- x white grass Leersia virginica x white lady's~s]jpper Cypripedinm x orchid - SE candidum • SE - --- I white mulberry* Morus alba * x x white oak Quercus alba X X x x --- -- white snakeroot Eupatorium rugosum x x white sweet clover* Melilotus alba * - --- x -- x white trillium Trillium flexipes x x white trout lily Erythronium albidum x white turtlehead eke/one glabra x x white vervain Verbena urticifolia x white water lily Nymphaea tuberosa x white wild indigo Baptisia laetea x x - --- white willow* Salix alba * x white-stemmed Potamogeton xl pondweed • SE praelongus • SE ------wild balsam apple Echinocystis lobata x wild bergamot Monardafistulosa x x wild chervil Chaerophyllum x x x procumbens wild garlic Allium canadense x x I -- x wild geranium Geranium maculatum x x x x Asarum canadense x x wild ginger -x --- wild ginger Asarum canadense var. x x reflexum - --- wild hyacinth Camassia scilloides x x -- wild leek Allium burdiekii x Allium tricoccum x wild leek x -- wild lettuce Laetuca canadensis x Lilium michiganense x x wild lily x --- x wild plum Prunus americana x x wild strawberry Fragaria virginiana x x wild yam Dioscorea villosa x x x Aster praealtus x x willow aster l- winged loosestrife Lythrum alatum x x winged sedge Carex aggregata x x /lex verticillata x winterberry - --- x wiry panic grass Panicumflexile -- witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana x -- wood anemone Anemone quinque/olia x x -- x wood gray sedge Carex grisea x x wood nettle Laportea canadensis x x wood sage Teucrium canadense x x x x x 162 Appendix 1. Continued FOREST PRAIRIE SAV. WETLAND LIP Cult. Upland Floodplain Flatwd Prairie Say. Marsh Swam'C Fen S.M. SeeD p3 3 drn rn w wrn rn o. flats drn/rn Up cult. Common N::tIm ,4 Scientific Name ,4 rnwrn w rna ss cfm/gf srn seep wood sorrel Oxalis stricta x woodland agrimony Agrimonia rostellata x - woodland bluegrass Poa sylvestris x woodland knotweed Polygonum x x virginianum - woodland sedge Carex blanda x x x woodland sunflower Helianthus divaricatus x x woolly mullein* Verbascum thapsus* x woundwort Stachys palustris var. x homotricha yellow avens Geum aleppicum x yellow bellwort Uvularia grandijlora x yellow false fox-glove Aurea/aria grandiflora x x yellow foxtail* Setaria glauca* x yellow giant hyssop Agastache nepetoides x yellow iris* Iris pseudacorus* x x x I------ yellow pimpernel Taenidia integerrima x x x yellow pond lily Nuphar luteum ssp. x macrophyllum yellow rocket* Barbarea vulgaris* x yellow sweet clover* Melilotus officinalis* x x yellow water crowfoot Ranunculus jlabellaris x x I X=characteristicldominant species, x=subdominant species, x=occurance of species, ! = Threatened or endangered species not recorded in the UDPAA, but known within one mile boundary. 2 Habitat codes for each community area as follows: FORESTIPRAlR1E: dm = dry~mesic ss = shrub swamp m = mesic cfm/gf = calcareous wm = wet-mesic floating matlgraminoid fen w = wet s.m. = sedge meadow n. fiats. = northern LAKE AND POND: flatwoods UP = lake and pond SAVANNA: 1=lake Sav. = savanna p = pond WETLAND: CULTURAL: rna = marsh cult. = cultural. For the cultural community class, all community types are combined. 3 Threatened and endangered species names are indicated in bold. ST=state threatened, SE=state endangered, Ff=federally threatened. 4 * = Non-native species. 163 Appendix 2 Incomplete list of vascular plants known from the Upper Des Plains Assessment Area (from Appendix 1), sorted by scientific name. l l l l Scientific Name ,2 Common Name ,2 Scientific Name ,2 Common Name ,2 Abutilon theophrasti* button weed* Antennaria neglecta little pussy toes Acalypha rhomboidea three-seeded mercury Antennaria plantaginifolia everlasting Acer negundo box eldet Apocynum androsaemifolium spreading dogbane Acernigrum black maple Apocynum cannabinum Indian hemp Acer rubrum red maple Apocynum sibiricum Indian hemp Acer saccharinum silver maple Aquilegia canadensis columbine Acer saccharum sugar maple Aralia racemosa American spikenard Achillea millefolium * common yarrow* Arctium minus* common burdock* Acorus amencanus sweet flag Arenaria serpyllifolia* thyme-leaved sandwort* Actaea pachypoda doll's eyes Arisaema dracontium green dragon Adiantum pedatum maidenhair fern Arisaema triphyllum Jack-in-the-pulpit Aesculus glabra Ohio buckeye Asarum canadense wild ginger Agalinis purpurea false foxglove Asarum canadense Agastache nepetoides yellow giant hyssop var. reflexum wild ginger Agastache scrophulariaefolia purple giant hyssop Asclepias incarnata swamp milkweed Agrimonia gryposepala tall agrimony Asclepias purpurascens purple milkweed Agrimonia parviflora small-fruited agrimony Asclepias sullivantii prairie milkweed Agrimonia rostellata woodland agrimony Asclepias syriaca common milkweed Agropyron repens* quack grass* Asclepias tuberosa Agrostis alba* red top* subsp. interior butterfly weed Agrostis perennans autumn bent grass Asclepias verticillata horsetail milkweed Ailanthus altissima* tree-of-heaven* Asparagus officinalis* asparagus* Alisma plantago-aquatiea Aster azureus sky-blue aster var. parviflorum common water plantain Aster borealis rush aster Alliaria petiolata* garlic mustard* Aster drummondii Drummond's aster Allium burdickii wild leek Aster ericoides heath aster Allium canadense wild garlic Aster laevis smooth blue aster Allium cemuum nodding onion Aster lateriflorus side-flowered aster Allium tricoccum wild leek Aster macrophyllus big-leaved aster Ambrosia artemisiifolia common ragweed Aster novae-angliae New England aster Ambrosia trifida giant ragweed Aster ontarionis Ontario aster Am01pha canescens leadplant Aster praealtus willow aster Amphicarpa bracteata hog peanut Aster puniceus swamp aster Andropogon gerardii big bluestem Aster sagittifolius arrowleaf aster Anemone canadensis meadow anenome Aster simplex panicled aster Anemone cylindricQ candle anemone Athyrium angustum lady fern Anemone quinquefolia wood anemone Aureolaria grandiflora yellow false fox-glove Anemone virginiana tall anemone Baptisia Lactea white wild indigo 165 Appendix 2. Continued. Scientific Name',2 Common Name],2 Scientific Name'" Common Name,,2 Baptista leucophaea cream wild indigo Carex chordo"hiza - SE cord root sedge - SE Barbarea vulgaris * yellow rocket' Carex conjuncta sedge Beckmannia syzigachne - SE American slough grass - SE Carex crawei . ST Crawe's sedge· ST Berberis thunbergii* Japanese barberry' Carex crawfordii - SE Crawford's oval sedge - SE Betula pumila dwarf bitch Carex cristatella sedge Bidens cernUQ nodding beggar ticks Carex crus-corvii sedge Bidens coronata tall swamp marigold Carex gracillima graceful sedge Bidens frondosa common beggar ticks Carex granularis meadow sedge Bidens tripartita swamp tickseed Carex gravida long-awned bracted sedge Boehmeria cylindrica false nettle Carex grayi common .bur sedge Boehmeria cylindrica Carex grisea wood gray sedge var. drummondi false nettle Carex haydenii Hayden's sedge Boltonia asteroides false aster Carex hirtifolia hairy wood sedge Botrychium multifidum - SE northern grape fern - SE Carex hystricina bottlebrush sedge Botrychium virginianum rattlesnake fern Carex interior inland sedge Bouteloua curtipendula side-oats grama , Carex intumescens . SE swollen sedge - SE Bromus inennis* awnless brome grass* Carex jamesii James' sedge Bromus purgans brome grass Carex lacustris lake sedge Cacalia atriplicifolia pale Indian plantain Carex lanuginosa broad-leaved wooly sedge Calamagrostis canadensis blue joint grass Carex lasiocarpa narrow-leaved woolly sedge Caitha palustris marsh marigold Carex laxiflora sedge Calystegia sepium American bindweed Carex lupuliformis sedge Camassia scillaides wild hyacinth Carex lupulina sedge Campanula americana tall bellflower Carex meadii Mead's stiff sedge Campanula aparinoides marsh bellflower Carex molesta sedge Campanula uliginosa marsh bellflower Carex muskingumensis sedge Cardamine buibosa bulb bittercress Carex normalis spreading oval sedge Cardamine doug/asii purple cress Carex oligocarpa sedge Cardamine parvijlora Carex pensylvanica savanna sedge var. arenicola small flowered bitter cress Carex prairea sedge Cardamine pensylvanica bitter cress Carex retroflexa sedge Carduus acanthoides* plumeless thistle' Carex rosea curly-styled wood sedge Carduus nutans* musk thistle' Carex rostrata - ST beaked sedge - ST ' Carex aggregata winged sedge Carex sartwellii Sartwell sedge blunt-scaled wood sedge Carex albursina Carex sparganioides loose-headed bracted sedge Carex alopecoidea sedge Carex sprengelii long-beaked sedge Carex amphibola sedge Carex sterilis sedge Carex annectens sedge Carex stipata prickly sedge Carex atherodes wheat sedge Carex stricta common tussock sedge golden sedge - SE Carex allrea - SE Carex suberecta sedge Carex blanda sedge Carex tenera narrow-leaved oval sedge woodland sedge Carex blanda Carex tetanica sedge Carex bromoides sedge Carex tribuloides awl-fruited sedge Carex buxbaumii buxbaum sedge Carex trichocarpa hairy-fruited lake sedge Carex caroliniana Carolina sedge Carex tuckmeranii - SE Thckerman's sedge - SE rough-clustered sedge Carex cephalophora Carex viridula - SE little green sedge - SE 166 Appendix 2. Continued. Scientific Name!,2 Common Namei,2 Scientific Name!,2 Common Name!,2 Carex vulpinoidea fox sedge Cypripedium candidum - SE white lady's-slipper orchid - SE Carex woodii • SE pretty sedge - SE Cystopsis bulbifera bladder fern Carpinus caroliniana blue beech Cystopsis fragilis fern Carya cordiformis bitternut hickory Dactylis glomerata' orchard grass* Carya ovala shagbark hickory Dalea purpurea purple prairie clover Cassia fasciculata partridge pea Danthonia spicata poverty oat grass Caulophyllum thalictroides blue cohosh Daucus carota* Queen Anne's lace' Ceanothus americanus New Jersey tea Dentaria laciniata toothwort Celastrus orbiculatus* round-leaved bittersweet* Desmodium canadense showy tick trefoil Celtis occidentalis hackberry Desmodium glutinosum pointed tick trefoil Centaurea macuJosa* spotted centaurea* Dicanthelium acuminatum Cephalanthus occidentalis button bush var. !asciculatum panic grass Cerastium vulgatum* common mouse-ear chick Dicanthelium latifolium panic grass weed* Dicanthelium leibergii prairie panic grass Ceratophyllum demersum coontail Dicanthelium oligosanthes Chaerophyllum procumbens wild chervil var. scribnerianum Scribner's panic grass Chelone glabra white turtlehead Dicanthelium villosissimum Chenopodium album' lamb's quarters* var. praecocius long-haired panic grass Cicuta bulbifera bulblet water hemlock Dicentra canadensis squirrel corn CicutG maculata water hemlock Dicentra cucullaria Dutchman's breeches Cinna arundinacea stout wood reed Dioscorea villosa wild yam Circaea lutetiana enchanter's nightshade Dipsacus laciniatus* cut-leaved teasel* Cirsium altissimum tall thistle Dodecatheon meadia shooting star Cirsium arvense* Canada thistle* Drosera rotundifolin - SE round-leaved sundew - SE Cirsium discolor field thistle Dryopteris carthusiana spinulose woodfern Cirsium vulgare* bull thistle' Dryopteris intermedia common woodfern Claytonia virginica spring beauty Dryopteris marginalis marginal fern Comandra umbellata bastard toadflax Echinochloa crus-galli' barnyard grass' Conophilis americana cancer-root Echinocystis lobata wild balsam apple Convolvulus arvensis* field bindweed' Eleocharis acicularis needle spike rush Conyza canadensis horseweed Eleocharis erythropoda spike rush Coreopsis palmata prairie coreopsis Eleocharis macrostachya spike rush Comus alternifolia alternate-leaved dogwood Eleocharis obtusa spike rush Comus obliqua pale dogwood Ellisia nyctelea Aunt Lucy Comus racemosa gray dogwood Elodea canadensis waterweed Cornus stolonifera red-osier dogwood Elymus canadensis Canada wild rye Coronilla varia* crown vetch* Elymus hystrix bottlebrush grass Cory/us americana hazelnut Elymus villosus slender wild rye Crataegus crus-galli cockspur thorn Elymus virginicus Virginia wild rye Crataegus mollis red haw Epilobium ciliatum northern willow herb Crataegus pruinosa hawthorn Epilobium coloratum cinnamon willow herb Crataegus punctata dotted hawthorn Epilobium leptophyllum bog willow herb Crataegus succulenta hawthorn Epilobium strictum - ST downy willow herh - ST Cryptotaenia canadensis honewort Epipactis helleborine' helleborine' Cyperus rivu/aris brook flat sedge Equisetum arvense common horsetail Cyperus strigosus straw-colored flat sedge Equisetum fluviatile water horsetail 167 Appendix 2. Continued. l l Scientific Name ,2 Common Name ,' Scientific Name1,2 Common Name1,2 Equisetum hyemale var, affine scouring rush Glyceria striata fowl manna grass Erechtites hieracifolia fire weed Goodyera pubescens rattlesnake plantain Erigeron annuus daisy fleabane Hackelia virginiana stickseed Erigeron philadelphicus marsh fleabane Hamamelis virginiana witch Hazel Erigeron strigosus daisy fleabane Hedeoma hispida rough pennyroyal Eriophorum angustifolium cotton sedge Hedeoma pulegioides American pennyroyal Eryngium yuccifolium rattlesnake master Helenium autumnale sneezeweed Erythronium albidum white trout lily Helianthus divaricatus woodland sunflower Euonyrnous alatus* burning bush' Helianthus grosseserratus saw-toothed sunflower Euonymous obovata running strawberry bush Hetianthus hirsutus bristly sunflower Euonymus atropurpureus wahoo Helianthus mollis downy sunflower Eupatorium altissimum tall boneset Helianthus rigidus prairie sunflower Eupatorium maculalum spotted Joe-Pye-weed Helianthus strumosus pale-leaved sunflower Eupatorium peifoliatum common boneset Helianthus tuberosus Jerusalem artichoke Eupatorium purpureurn green-stemmed Joe-Pye-weed Hemerocallis fulva' orange day lily' Eupatorium rugosum white snakeroot Hepatica nobilis var. acuta liverleaf Eupatorium serotinum late boneset Hesperis matronalis* rocket* Euphorbia corollata flowering spurge Heuchera richardsonii prairie alumroot Euthamia graminifolia grass-leaved goldenrod Hieracium aurantiacum* orange hawkweed* Festuca pratensis* meadow fescue* Hieracium caespitosum* king devil' Filipendulfl rubra - ST queen of the prairie - ST Hierochloe odorata sweet grass Floerkea proserpinacoides false mennaid Hordeumjubatum* foxtail barley' Fragaria virginiana wild strawberry Hydrastis canadensis goldenseal Fraxinus americana white ash Hydrophyllum Fraxinus nigra black ash appendiculatum waterleaf Fraxinus pennsylvanica green ash Hydrophyllum virginianum Virginia waterleaf Galium aparine annual bedstraw Hypericum peiforatum* common St. lohn's-wort* Galium boreale northern bedstraw Hypoxis hirsuta common golden star grass Gallum concinnum shining bedstraw Ilex verticillata winterberry Galium lflbradoricum - ST hog bedstraw· ST Impatiens capensis spotted touch-me-not Gallum obtusum stiff bedstraw Impatiens pallida pale touch-me-not Galium tinctorium stiff bedstraw Iris pseudacorus* yellow iris* Galium triflorum sweet-scented bedstraw Iris shrevei blue flag Gaura biennis biennial gaura Isopyrum bitematum false rue anenome Gentiana andrewsii closed gentian JejJersonia diphylla twin leaf Gentiana puberulenta downy gentian Juglans cinerea butternut Gentiana quinquefolia stiff gentian JugIans nigra black walnut Gentianopsis crinita fringed gentian Juncus acuminatus knotty-leaved rush Geranium bicknellii • SE northern cranesbill - SE Juncus balticus lake shore rush Geranium maculalum wild geranium Juncus brachycarpus rush Geum uleppicum yellow avens Juncus dudleyi Dudley's rush Geum canadense white avens Juncus interior inland rush Geum laciniatum rough avens Juncus nodosus jointed rush Geumvemum spring avens Juncus tenuis path rush Glechoma hederacea* creeping Charlie* Juncus torreyi Torrey rush Glyceria septentrionalis manna grass Juniperus virginiana red cedar 168 Appendix 2. Continued. Scientific NameJ,2 Common Name'" Scientific Name'" Common Name'" Koeleria macran/ka June grass Medicago lupulina* black medic* Krigia biflora false dandelion Melilotus alba* white sweet clover* Lactuca canadensis wild lettuce Melilotus officinalis* yellow sweet clover* [aetuca serriola* prickly lettuce* Menispermum canadense moonseed Laportea canadensis wood nettle Mentha arvensis var. villosa ficld mint Larix laricina - ST American larch - ST Menyanthes trifoliata lA/hyrus ochroleucus - ST pale vetchling - ST var. minor buckbean Lathyrus palustris marsh vetchling Mertensia virginica blue bells Lathyrus venosus var. intonsus veiny pea Milium effusum - SE millet grass -SE Leersia oryzoides rice cutgrass Mimulus ringens monkey flower Leersia virginica white grass Moehringia lateriflora sandwort Lemna minor duckweed Monarda fistulosa wild bergamot Lemna trisulca ivy-leaved duckweed Monotropa uniflora Indian pipe Lepidium virginicum common peppergrass Morus alba* white mulberry* Lespedeza capitala bush clover Muhlenbergia glomerata marsh wild Timothy Leucanthemum vulgare* ox-eye daisy* Muhlenbergia schreberi nimble will Lfatris aspera rough blazing star Myriophyllum exalbescens spiked water milfoil Lfarris pycnostachya prairie blazing star Myriophyllum heterophyllum water milfoil Liatris spicata marsh blazing star Najas flexilis naiad Lilium michiganense wild lily Nasturtium officinale* water cress* Lilium phi/adelphicum prairie lily Nuphar luteum Lithospermum canescens hoary puccoon subsp. macrophyllum yellow pond lily Lobelia cardinalis cardinal flower Nymphaea tuberosa white water lily Lobelia siphilitica blue lobelia Oenothera biennis evening primrose Lobelia spicata spike lobelia Oeno/hera perennis - SE small sundrops - SE Lonicera maackii* Amur honeysuckle* Oenothera pi/osella prairie sundrops Lonicera prolifera grape honeysuckle Onoclea sensibilis sensitive fern Lonicera tatarica* Tartarian honeysuckle* Oryzopsis racemosa • ST black-seeded rice grass - ST Lonicera X bella* honeysuckle* Osmorhiza claytonii sweet Cicely Ludwigia alternifolia seedbox Osmorhiza longistylis anise-root Ludwigia palustris Ostrya virginiana hop hornbeam var. americana marsh purslane Oxalis stricta wood sorrel Lycopus americanus common water horehound Oxalis violacea purple oxalis Lycopus uniflorus northern bugle weed Oxypolis rigidior meadow parsnip Lycopus virginicus bugle weed Panax quinquefolius ginseng Lysimachia ciliata fringed loosestrife Panicum flexile wiry panic grass Lysimachia laneeolata lance-leaved loosestrife Panicum virgatum prairie switchgrass Lysimachia nummularia* moneywort* Parietaria pensylvanica pellitory Lysimachia quadriflora loosestrife Parnassia glauca grass-of-Parnassus Lysimachia terrestris swamp candle Paronychia canadensis forked chickweed Lysimachia thrysiflora tufted loosestrife Parthenocissus inserta Virginia creeper Lythrum alatum winged loosestrife Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia creeper Lythrum sa/icaria * purple loosestrife* Pastinaca sativa* parsnip* Maianthemum canadense Canada mayflower Pedicularis canadensis lousewort Malus ioensis Iowa crabapple Pedicularis lanceolata swamp wood betony Matteuccia struthiopteris ostrich fern Penstemon calycosus smooth beard-tongue 169 Appendix 2. Continued. Scientific Namei,2 Common Namei,2 Scientific Name1,2 Common Name!" Penstemon digitalis foxglove beard-tongue Potamogeton robbinsii - SE fern pondweed - SE Penstemon hirsutus hairy beard-tongue Potentilla arguta prairie cinquefoil Penthorum sedoides ditch stonecrop Potentilla palustris marsh cinquefoil Pha/aris arundinacea* reed canary grass* Potentilla recta * sulfur cinquefoil* Phleum pratense* Timothy' Potentilla simplex common cinquefoil Phlox divaricata common phlox Prenanthes alba lions foot Phlox glaberrima smooth phlox Prenanthes crepidinea great white lettuce Phlox pilosa prairie phlox Proserpinaca palustris mermaid weed Phragmites australis common reed Prunella vulgaris* self-heal' Phryma leptostachya lopseed Prunus .americana wild plum Physalis heterophylla clammy ground cherry Prunus serotina black cherry Physalis pubeseens annual ground cherry Prunus virginiana choke cherry Physalis virginiana ground cherry Pycnanthemum virginianum common mountain mint Physocarpus opulifolius ninebark Quercus alba white oak Physostegia virginiana false dragonhead Quercus bicolor swamp white oak Phytalacca americana pokeweed Quercus ellipsoidalis Hill's oak Pilea fontana c1earweed Quercus macrocarpa bur oak Pilea pumila clearweed Quercus rubra red oak Plantago major common plantain Quercus velutina black oak Plantago rugelii common plantain Ranunculus abortivus small-flowered crowfoot Platallthera leucophaea - prairie white-fringed Ranullculus cymbalaria - SE seaside crowfoot - SE SE,FT orchid - SE, FT Ranunculus fascicularis early buttercup Platallthera psycodes - SE purple fringed orchid - SE Ranunculus flabellaris yellow water crowfoot Platanus occidentalis sycamore Ranunculus pensylvanicus bristly crowfoot Poa compressa* Canada bluegrass' Ranunculus septentrionalis swamp buttercup Poa palustrus fowl blue grass Ratibida pinnata drooping coneflower Poa pratensis* Kentucky bluegrass* Rhamnus cathartica* common buckthorn* Poa sylvestris woodland bluegrass Rhamnusfrangula* glossy buckthorn' Podophyllum peltatum mayapple Rhus glabra smooth sumac Polemonium reptans Jacob's ladder Rhus typhina staghorn sumac Polygonatum commutatum Solomon's seal Rhynchospora alba - ST heaked rush - ST Polygonatum pubescells - ST downy Solomon's seal - ST Ribes americanum American black currant Polygonum amphibium water smartweed Ribes cynosbati prickly gooseberry Polygonum hydropiperoides mild water pepper Ribes missouriense Missouri gooseberry Polygonum pensylvanicum smartweed Rosa blanda meadow rose Polygonum virginianum Virginia knotweed Rosa carolina pasture rose Polygonum virginianum woodland knotweed Rosa multiflora* multiflora rose* Polystichum aerostichoides Christmas fern Rosa setigera prairie rose Populus deltoides cottonwood Rubus allegheniensis common blackberry Populus grandidentata big tooth aspen Rubus flagellaris dewberry Populus tremuloides quaking aspen Rubus idaeus* raspberry' Po!amogeton crispus* curly pondweed' Rubus occidentalis black raspberry Potamogetonjoliosus leafy pondweed Rubus pensylvanicus common blackberry Potamogeton gramineus . SE grass-leaved pondweed - SE Rubus pubescens - ST dwarf raspherry - ST Potamogetoll praelollgus - SE white-stemmed Rubus strigosus red raspberry pondweed - SE Rudbeckia hirta black-eyed Susan 170 Appendix 2. Continued. Scientific Namel ,2 Common Namel,2 Scientific Namel,2 Common Namel,2 Rudbeckia laciniata goldenglow Silphium laciniatum compass plant Rumex altissimus pale dock Silphium terebinthinaceum prairie dock Rumex crispus* curly dock* Sisyrinchium albidum blue-eyed grass Rumex orhiculatus water dock Sisyrinchium monumum - SE mountain blue-eyed grass - SE Rumex verticillatus swamp dock Siumsuave water parsnip Sagittaria latifolia arrowleaf Smilacina racemosa false Solomon's seal Salix alba * white willow* Smilacina stellata starry false Solomon's seal Salix amygdaloides peach-leaved willow Smilax ecirrhata upright smilax Salix bebbiana Bebb willow Smilax hispida bristly catbrier Salix candida hoary willow Smilax lasioneuron carrion flower Salix discolor pussy willow Solanum dulcamara * bittersweet nightshade* Salix exigua sandbar willow Solidago canadensis Canada goldenrod Salixfragilis* crack willow* Solidago flexicaulis broadleaf goldenrod Salix glaucophylloides Solidago gigantea late goldenrod var. glaucophylla blue leaf willow Solidago jUlfcea early goldenrod Salix nigra black willow Solidago missouriensis Missouri goldenrod Salix pedicellaris Solidago nemoralis field goldenrod var. hypoglauca bog willow Solidago patula rough-leaf goldenrod Salix petiolaris petioled willow Solidago riddellii Riddell's goldenrod Salix rigida heart-leaved willow Solidago rigida rigid goldenrod Salix sericea silky willow Solidago uliginosa swamp goldenrod Sambucus canadensis elderberry Solidago ulmifolia elm-leaved goldenrod Sanguinaria canadensis bloodroot Sorghastrum nutans Indian grass Sanicula canadensis black snakeroot Sparganium eurycarpum bur-reed Sanicula gregaria common snakeroot Spartina pectinata prairie cord grass Saxifraga pensylvanica swamp saxifrage Spiraea alba meadow sweet Schizachyrium scoparium little blue stem Spiranthes cernua nodding ladies' tresses Scirpus aculus great bulrush Sporobolus heterolepis prairie dropseed Scirpus americanus American bulrush Stachys palustris Scirpus atrovirens bulrush var. homotricha woundwort Scirpus cyperinus bulrush Stachys tenuifolia Scirpus jluviatilis river bulrush var. hispida hairy hedge nettle Scirpus hattorianus - SE bulrush - SE Staphylea trifolia bladdernut Scirpus pendulus red bulrush Stellaria longifolia chickweed Scirpus tabernaemontanii soft-stemmed bulrush Stellaria media* common chickweed* Scrophularia marilandica late figwort Stipa spartea porcupine grass Scutellaria galericuinta marsh skullcap Symphoricarpos occidentalis western snowberry Scutellaria lateriflora blue skullcap Symplocarpus foetidus skunk cabhage Scutellaria parvula small skullcap Taenidia integerrima yellow pimpernel Senecio aureus golden ragwort Tanacetum vulgare* golden buttons' Senecio pauperculus balsam groundsel Taraxacum officinale* dandelion* Setariafaberi* giant foxtai1* Teucrium canadense wood sage Setaria glauca* yellow foxtail' Thalictrum dasycarpum purple meadow rue Silene stellata starry catchfly Thalictrum dioicum early meadow rue Silene virginica firepink Thalictrum revalutum waxy meadow rue Silphium integrifolium rosinweed Thalictrum thalictroides rue anenome 171 ------Appendix 2. Continued. Scientific Name]'2 Common Namel ,2 Scientific Name1,2 Common Namel,2 Thaspium trifoliatum meadow parsnip Vallisneria americana eelgrass Thelypteris palustris Verbascum thapsus* woolly mullein* var. pubescens marsh fern Verbena haslala blue vervain Thlaspi arvense '" field penny cress* Verbena urticifolia white vervain Thuja occidentalis* northern white cedar Vernonia fasciculata common ironweed TWa americana basswood Veronica peregrina purslane speedwell Tomanthera auriculata - ST ear-leaved fox glove - ST .Veronica scutellata - ST marsh speedwell - ST Toxicodendron radicans poison ivy Veronicastrum virginicul1l Culver's root Tradescantia ohiensis Ohio spiderwort Viburnum acerifolium maple-leaved arrowwood Triadenum fraseri Fraser's St. John's-wort Viburnum dentatum sourthern arrowwood Trifolium prarense* red clover* Viburnum lentago nannyberry Trifolium repens' white clover* Viburnum opulus* European high bush cranberry* Triglochin maritima - SE common bog arrow grass· SE Viburnum prunifotium black haw Triglochin palustris - SE slender bog arrow-grass - SE Viburnum rafinesquianum downy arrowwood Trillium flexipes white trillium Viburnum recognitum high bush cranberry Trillium grandijlorum large white trillium Vieia americana American vetch Trillium recurvatum red trillium Viola conspersa - ST American dog violet - ST Triodanis perfoliata Venus' looking-glass Viola incognita - SE hairy white violet - SE Triosteum aurantiacum early horse gentian Viola nephrophylla northern blue violet Typha angustifolia* narrow~leaved cattail* Viola pratincola common blue violet Typha latifolia common cattail Viola pubescens Ulmus americana American elm var. eriocarpa smooth yellow violet Ulmus rubra slippery elm Viola sororia downy-blue violet Urtico dioica common nettle Vitis riparia riverbank grape Utricularia vulgaris common bladderwort Zannichellia palustris horned pondweed Uvularia grandijlora yellow bellwort Zanthoxylum americanum prickly ash Vaccaria pyramidata* cow herb* Ziziaaurea golden Alexanders Vaccinium macrocarpon - SE American cranberry ·SE I Threatened or endangered species are in bold highlight: ST =state threatened; SE =state endangered; FT =federally threatened; FE = federally endangered. 2 * = introduced species. 172