AtlasAtlasof Biodiversity Second Edition AtlasAtlasof Biodiversity Second Edition First published in 1997, the Chicago Wilderness Atlas of Biodiversity provides an introduc- tion to our region’s natural treasures. With more than 60,000 copies in circulation, it cel- ebrates our globally significant prairies, woodlands, wetlands, lakes and streams, as well as the many animal species that depend upon them for survival. The nationally-recognized Atlas also chronicles the roles that development and urbanization have played in altering our native landscape, along with the restoration efforts of an expanding alliance of local, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, municipalities, corporate partners and individual volunteers. This updated version of the Atlas retains the substance of the first, but has been updated to reflect the many changes over the past several years. New sections include those on cli- mate change and water resources, both of which are growing concerns globally as well as locally. Another new section is the Green Infrastructure Vision, which outlines a strategy to greatly expand the number of acres preserved as natural areas. The Atlas is a vital resource for students, educators and the general public. However, for those who wish to learn more, the Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity Recovery Plan pro- vides an outline for recovering the health of the native habitats and animals celebrated in the Atlas. To measure progress toward these recovery goals, in 2006 Chicago Wilderness published The State of Our Chicago Wilderness, A Report Card on the Health of the Region’s Ecosystems. The Atlas of Biodiversity is a publication of the Chicago Wilderness alliance. Copyright 2011. Funds for this publication were provided by the USDA Forest Service, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Chicago Wilderness Corporate Council. Contents
INTRODUCTION 3
GEOLOGY OF THE CHICAGO WILDERNESS REGION 4 LIVING COMMUNITIES 11 STILL WATERS Lakes and Ponds 42 PRAIRIES 12 Animals 18 MOVING WATERS Streams and Rivers 44 WOODED COMMUNITIES Introduction 22 THE DUNES 46 Savannas 24 LAKE MICHIGAN 47 Open Woodlands 25 Flatwoods 26 the water cycle 48 Forests 27 Animals 28 climate change 49 WETLANDS people on the land Introduction 32 Native Americans 50 Marshes and Shrub Swamps 34 Settlement 51 Sedge Meadows 35 The Creation of the Forest Preserves 54 Fens 36 Restoration and Management 56 Bogs 37 How We're Doing 60 Animals 38 green infrastructure vision 62 leave no child inside 64 conclusion 65
APPENDICES AND INDEX 66 Endangered and Threatened Species in iIllino s
Rare and Endangered Natural Communities in the Chicago Wilderness region
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NNaatureture inin thethe MMetropolisetropolis People and Nature in the Chicago Wilderness Region
mbedded in one of North America’s largest now faces serious threats, including fragmentation of metropolitan regions and stretching along green open spaces; invasive plant and animal species like E Lake Michigan from southeastern Wisconsin, buckthorn, garlic mustard, and zebra mussels; pollution; through northeastern Illinois, into northwestern Indiana and the impacts of global climate change. and southwestern Michigan is a mosaic of natural areas Founded in 1996 with the mission of preserving and that includes nearly 370,000 acres of protected lands restoring the biodiversity of the region and collectively and waters. addressing these threats, the Chicago Wilderness alliance The natural areas of Chicago’s wilderness are home is made up of local, state and federal agencies, large to a wide diversity of life and globally rare habitats— conservation groups, education institutions, grassroots prairie, pannes, coastal wetlands, oak savanna, fens, sedge volunteer groups, municipalities, faith-based groups, and meadows, flatwoods, and more. Thousands of native corporate partners. Alliance members work together to plant and animal species live here among the more than restore local nature and improve the quality of life for nine million people who also call the region home. all living things by protecting the lands and waters on Nature offers us many benefits: wondrous places for which we all depend. play, recreation, and exploration, as well as opportunities An energized network of volunteers, stewards, for learning, discovery and spiritual renewal. Healthy citizen scientists, and monitors also works tirelessly ecosystems also provide us essential services, including throughout the region in collaboration with land man- fresh air, clean water, healthy soil, flood protection, pol- agement agencies to protect and restore nature for their lution filtering, and habitat for plants and wildlife. families and future generations. As residents of the Chicago Wilderness region, we Please join us in celebrating our treasured commu- are fortunate to have access to a relatively large amount nities of plants and animals. Learn more about them of open space and natural areas. But, over the past two in the Atlas, and then go exploring for yourself—there centuries, Chicago’s wilderness has been greatly impact- is a lot of nature to see in our metropolis’ many parks ed by farming, industry, and development. Local nature and preserves.