Open Habitats
Great Lakes Beach
Great Lakes beach community is found along the coast of Lake Michigan and accounts for just over 1% of land area in the LGBFR AOC, a small fraction of the undeveloped beach habitat that once occurred here.
Most of the remaining beach habitat in the LGBFR AOC is in poor condition, being highly invaded by Phragmites or other non-native plants, and in many areas naturally occurring sand is covered in zebra and quagga mussel shells. Since much of the remaining Great Lakes beach habitat is publicly owned; however, the possibility of restoration is high. Limiting access to beaches during peak migration periods for shorebirds and if present, during Piping Plover breeding is important. The diversity and abundance of beach invertebrates in lower Green Bay is poorly known and deserves future study, especially for rare species like the hairy-necked tiger beetle.
Other conservation actions to improve the condition of Great Lakes beaches in the LGBFR AOC include providing shoreline deadwood for turtle basking and fish habitat, removing accumulations of dreissenid mussel shells, controlling invasive species in the nearshore zone, and maintaining native plant communities in adjacent floodplain or upland buffers.
Surrogate Grassland (old field, upland shrub)
Historically, grasslands were widespread in Wisconsin but now only remain in small pockets of habitat. Farming and urban development have contributed to the decrease of savanna habitat. As a result, tallgrass prairie is now the most diminished and threatened plant community in the Midwest.
Surrogate Grassland Restored
Historically, grasslands were widespread but now only remain in small pockets of habitat. Farming and urban development have contributed to the decrease in savannah habitat. As a result, tallgrass prairies are now the most diminished and threatened plant communities in the Midwest. Surrogate grasslands now offer a similar prairie environment for plants and animals. In the LGBFR AOC, less than 1% of the land is categorized as restored surrogate grassland. This category of surrogate grassland includes fields planted with natural prairie grasses. These restored grasslands still fall short of the rich species diversity of the original prairies.
Ask an Expert
Meet Erin Giese, Associate Director of the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity. She's President of the Northeastern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, principal investigator for the Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program and administrator of the annual CCB Student Grant Program. If you have questions, she can help!