Division of Forestry Strategic Direction
Statewide Forest Strategy 2010
Statewide Forest Assessment 2010
Forest Sustainability Framework
Statewide Forest Plan 2004
A9. Issue: Some ecosystems and important development
stages of ecosystems are rare.
Comment #: 1
We can live without them manage the remaining for history we do not need to reverse the trend.
Comment #: 2
Development in forested areas are a concern of mine.
Comment #: 3
Manage what we have!
Comment #: 4
The DNR itself often has very negative impacts while trying to please special interest groups such as Trout Unlimited!
Comment #: 5
I used to see pasque flowers in Kettle Moraine forests, in 1970's and 1980's. Never have ssen any in Northern WI But the occasional trillia forests are magnificent in spring, as in Price Co., with its better soil.
Comment #: 6
These are relayed to land use issues Forest management can not be held in a position to be responsible to change or address maintaining ecosystems lost to farm or development.
Comment #: 7
not enough knowledge to comment
Comment #: 8
Time has its method of healing wounds to the forest, made by man's poor decisions!
Comment #: 9
The state must purchase and protect more lands especially along rivers and portect them from human impact. Also development must be curtailed in environmentally sensitive areas
Comment #: 10
I agree that ecosystems should be preserved, but also remember about susession. Maybe some of these types were ment to change.
Comment #: 11
Means "old growth"?
Comment #: 12
Remaining areas in state forests need to be protected and the public needs to be educated. Limit or eliminate trail systems except for light use.
Comment #: 13
Spending money to fight succession is a waste preventing destruction by human activity such as housing and commercial development is a worthy interest.
Comment #: 14
Do you understand this question?
Comment #: 15
Difficult to do much about some of these situations
Comment #: 16
Some savannas, etc can become public lands' deer can be shot; we can accept that riparian lands will be "degraded".
Comment #: 17
Who is responsible for these impacts? We should all be educated and held responsible to act accordingly.
Comment #: 18
Again save all the parts
Comment #: 19
Is this really a forest issue - or one of development?
Comment #: 20
should be considered along with our trend to use land for other uses. There should be room for all.
Comment #: 21
Personally, I would rather see state funds be used to buy rare communities or establish rare communities than buy butchered paper company lands and let corporate raiders retire to the Grand Cayman Islands (PCA)! Is the timber company next?
Comment #: 22
Native grasses s/b grown actively
Comment #: 23
Over maybe - however the great reduction in cattle grazing of stream and agricultural changes has reduced the impact on streams in many many instances
Comment #: 24
Biodiversity includes a diversity of ecosystem
Comment #: 25
This may need to be addressed as two separate issues. The loss of viparian forests is no mystery. Issue A12, Trend B3, Trend C2, Issue C3, Trends C4, C5 and D2 all are related to the degradation and loss of viparian forests
Comment #: 26
Are we to do away with humans?
Comment #: 27
This seems to just put a lot of people to work
Comment #: 28
More education
Comment #: 29
Yes address these issues. Many of these are people caused. 1. Fire Control. 2. Hemlock example is poor silviculture and commitment to silviculture. Cedar is same lack of beaver control, lack of silviculture and fire control I do not buy deer argument in all cases. More than not it is poor management and people causes.
Comment #: 30
Yes, study and plans need to be made to encourage regeneration of hemlock and cedar - like they are already doing to again ddevelop oak savannas.
Comment #: 31
Don't understand terms used.
Comment #: 32
do you really believe this?
Comment #: 33
Like A10?
Comment #: 34
Protect and restore rare ecosystems.
Comment #: 35
Plantations do not deserve to be classed as forest.
Comment #: 36
The state should purchase farmland and convert to savans. Encourage Riparian forest owners to maintain river banks and stop erosion of banks.
Comment #: 37
But not from logging
Comment #: 38
convert some ares of farmland into savanas
Comment #: 39
Encroachment by agriculture, urban development, irrigation, municipal wells and deer overpopulation are issues beyond control so why spend $?
Comment #: 40
extremely important - again, this relates to biodiversity; endangered species; and eliminating (or controlling) invasive species
Comment #: 41
Is it native/
Comment #: 42
Again, we can't go back to the pre-Columbus era.
Comment #: 43
Again, careful treatment of this issue is necessary to avoid reinforcing what I see as widespread misunderstanding. Which advanced successional stages are rare? I think people should be aware that ecosystems such as barrens and savannas were in fact created largely through human activity.
Comment #: 44
Keep some of as many types of ecosystems as practical.
Comment #: 45
Have seen this in Adams County.
Comment #: 46
Should resolve ecosystems if they are necessary for a certain species to survive.
Comment #: 47
I feel that savannas and barrens should not be taken over by urban development. These areas, (usually small in size) can be designated Green spaces or recreation areas within or near urban areas. Lets not loose them all to development!
Comment #: 48
We are learning that there is more to a forest than just growing trees. Protecting our forests so they are sustainable should be very important. All parts of our ecosystem are very important. I hope MFL plans reflect this more in the future.
Comment #: 49
We need to maintain our native biodiversity.
Comment #: 50
But unless the DNR is willing to get into land acquisition for lots of potential savanna, I don't see this changing - not all of these are 'public sector' problems.
Comment #: 51
Return some of the forest to it's original, natural state.
Comment #: 52
Protection and Regulation of development in riparian forest zones needs high attention.
Comment #: 53
Identify what's rare and endangered and protect it. Biodiversity and water quality protection of shorelands should be a high priority. NOW, before it's more too late.
Comment #: 54
Only ?? would change this - who would pay?
Comment #: 55
Again, is this a forest plan or what?
Comment #: 56
Largely due to removal of fire from the ecosystem and conversion of forest or other land to urban use. National forests have set aside examples of many of these ecosystems.
Comment #: 57
We (you and I) will not be able to stop nature from constant and continuing change.
Comment #: 58
This is true worldwide!
Comment #: 59
Use Nature Conservancy tactics to save "last great places." Encourage Nature Conservancy to help identify rare ecosystems.
Comment #: 60
Biodiverse again?
Comment #: 61
Goes to biodiversity and building appreciation of diverse ?
Comment #: 62
However, change is inevitable.
Comment #: 63
Lest we forget this disturbance has provided for our advanced lifestyle we now enjoy.
Comment #: 64
No ecosystems in Wisconsin are fire dependent. Fire occurs in these ecosystems, but examples of these ecosystems in wonderful form exist without the aid of fire (eg., through beaver cutting). Excessive fire from overzealous management is a serious threat to some of the rarest species restricted to these rare ecosystems.
Comment #: 65
Question - were are people to go you can't stop urban expanding
Comment #: 66
Ecosystems are continuely changing. Though some may disagree, it is a reality that humans are a part of the ecosystem and produce these situations.
Comment #: 67
Its up to the landowner to do whatever he thinks is best
Comment #: 68
Provide funds to convert farmland back to DNR pet projects. Let nature involve as nature should (by itself) - when man is gone, then it will ultimately revert back AS IT NEEDS
Comment #: 69
So what do you do if you adress it - curtail use of private land? Buy more land until this is no longer a free people?
Comment #: 70
Eastern
Comment #: 71
Will the plan continually fight nature and change?
Comment #: 72
Succession to more productive ecosystems that do not harm the environment are very good. Why go back to land that is marginal in producing anything viable for the economy. Savannas, barrens (prairies) can be and are producing something worthwhile to this country when they are in managed forests, cropland and just about any use that only is home for a few plants and animals.
Comment #: 73
Nothing stays the same, this is called progress. We are getting hemlock regeneration in many of our stands for the last 10 yrs.
Comment #: 74
Are barrens as important as wetlands? Should we have policies on barrens similar to that of wetlands?
Comment #: 75
Educating land owners of proper specie management will be important but not easily done. Hopefully we don't resort to more laws.
Comment #: 76
See A7
Comment #: 77
There has been a poor job done of educatoin and identification of these ecosystems so that even a minority of citizens and/or decision makers know what is being discussed.
Comment #: 78
you forgot Dick chaney
Comment #: 79
Humans need to be made more aware of the negative impact their activities can have on these communities.
Comment #: 80
I have a hemlock grove of trees in my natural forest and haven't noticed that the deer are destroying them.
Comment #: 81
Hell, ecosystems have changed drastically over geologic time this may/may not be important.
Comment #: 82
There are a lot smaller criters than deer that impact hemlock vegetation.
Comment #: 83
Speaking as a past dairy farmer, I can easiliy become very bitter against some of your implications! Have all farmers leave the state. Let each wealthy city dweller have his 80 acres, post it, fence it, certainly you will have biodiversity.
Comment #: 84
More resources should be used to recover the barrons and savannahs.
Comment #: 85
Human impact is so extensive that in some areas (primarily agricultural) we probably can't do much about it. I'd focus on northwwods rare ecosystems.
Comment #: 86
Biotypes are not static - so - are we frustrating nature by trying to preserve unstable successional stages like barrens?
Comment #: 87
It is important to "actively manage" for these ecosystems whre they remain. Simply locking these areas up with current fire preclusion will still result in net loss. "Active management" to benefit these ecosystems is the only way to preserve them.
Comment #: 88
Precolumian ecosystems were still altered by humans. Should they be the yardstick or bench mark for today's goals. I think not! We have to work with nature and not with preconceived goals which may be poorly founded. Left to its own design Wisconsin would become fully forested, farm fields, and prairie included. Some barrens would remain in the fire prone sandy ecosystems.
Comment #: 89
boreal forest communities
Comment #: 90
What is a savannas? I have never seen this term before today. I am reasonably educated with a Ph.D. and am 68 years old. Yet I never run into this word before.
Comment #: 91
But again, I would want science to dictate whether certain forestry operations are actually injurious before we curtail them.
Comment #: 92
However I believe that advanced successional stages of forests are increasing. This is a long process but I think it is happening at least to some degree.
Comment #: 93
The human population is a relatively stable, not going anywhere, sort of population. Some of the rare ecosystems and development stages are things that occur at varying times around the landscape following (for example) a catastrophic event. These ecosystems and development stages must be planned into the goal for a piece of property
Comment #: 94
Change has (and will continue to) take place. Losing some systems isn't inherently bad, we just continue to deal with what we have.
Comment #: 95
People want production, not barren land. There is not economic reason to support savanna or barrens.
Comment #: 96
Barrens and savannas ARE forest ecosystems AND WI MUST manage for them.......not against them as we have done for decades!
Comment #: 97
Most early successional/disturbance dependent communities are decreasing on the landscape. I think we should decribe how forest management will play a key role in maintaining these types (i.e., part of landscape planning).
Comment #: 98
seems that these issues are being addressed now
Comment #: 99
Too often these are simply museum pieces that take a lot of work to create and then maintain, since they don't stay that way on their own. I don't consider maintaining museum pieces as a part of "forest management".
Comment #: 100
This issue is difficult because determining the appropriate sites for restoration displaces other forest types. What is appropriate and where needs a lot of thought. The costs of convesion is high, is this the best use of State funds? I don't think so!
Comment #: 101
Deciding the which role each forest land owner group will provide will be great challenge.
Comment #: 102
THere is much that can be done to "control" the change in ecosystem diversity and the plan could address recommendations to ensure ecosystem integrity for the future.
Comment #: 103
Savannas and barrens are not forested ecosystems by definition. They were artificially maintained using fire by native Americans prior to European influence on native people. As a result, they probably never were "natural" communities to any great extent in Wisconsin. Other natural, rare types that have been mad rare by human activity (including the large deer herd)should be considered in the plan.
Comment #: 104
How will this impact the species of plants and animals who have already adjusted to their changed habitat?
Comment #: 105
White cedar covertypes are similarly at risk of disappearing. As with endangered species management, it is essential to protect and enhance endangered ecotypes and development stages.
Comment #: 106
We need to make people aware of this problem, as well as try to preserve and restore what remnants remain. This is a high priority, since once these ecosystems disappear, it is very hard to try to get them reestablished (if not impossible).
Comment #: 107
Is this survey about forestry or the broader concepts of ecosystem management
Comment #: 108
Don't forget early successional brushy habitats and pioneer tree communities like aspen/birch. Additionally, remember that remnant examples often fail to serve their original function.
Comment #: 109
Until we do somenting about home/property development we are going see a continued decline biodiversity and and increase demand in forest and an increase land preservation to protect our biodiversity. I once had a landowner tell me "I didn't cut one tree to build my house" I looked around his house and said "I'd have to disagree with you". People don't make the connection!
Comment #: 110
This issue is difficult as different natural resource disciplines have different viewpoints on how some of these unique ecosystems should be managed (as in sand barrens for example, wildlife and forestry see very different roles for these types)
Comment #: 111
I'm glad to see you are seriously considering values other than the traditional utilitarian uses of forests.
Comment #: 112
urban sprawl is the forests greatest enemy.
Comment #: 113
AMEN!
Comment #: 114
Wiscosin harbors some excellent potential for barrens, savanna, and grassland habitat. All are considered globbaly threatened. Yet policy and staff knowledge does not reflect these ecosystems as a priority. The continued decline of these ecosystems through fire suppression, development, and forestry should be a top priority.
Comment #: 115
We need to know what species we are protecting for the efforts in protecting/restoring the habitat.
Comment #: 116
The resource base of this state will be more stable if natural, biodiversity is maintained.
Comment #: 117
Identify rare ecosystems and educate the public on where they fit in the scheme of things. I don't think people in WI have a real good idea of how all these different ecosystems fit together in a dynamic, changing environment.
Comment #: 118
Tell it like it is, not just lip service.
Comment #: 119
Action needs to be taken now before it's too late for restoration.
Comment #: 120
Action needs to be taken now before it's too late for restoration.
Comment #: 121
I believe some areas need to be preserved/protected. How much is the difficult part/question.
I prefer the Menomonee Indian approach to hemlock regeneration. Have hunting zones with different rules. Some would let the deer be a "sacred cow" others would hunt over bait piles and/or use dogs. Quality deer management zones would allow those who prefer that to get a chance to see the results.
Comment #: 122
Deer are the biggest problem.
Comment #: 123
Coming from the Kickapoo Valley in La Farge, I remember when we swam in the creeks because the river was too yucky - full of cow manure, etc. Now that river is very clean and the plants and animals are thriving. It is an ecologically important area as it is home to endangered species and yet nothing is done to protect the species that are there and talk is that they are going to sell the land back to the people - At what cost to the environment?
Comment #: 124
If the Badger Ammunition Plant is acquired by the DNR, we have a unique opportunity to restore tallgrass and shortgrass prairies to Wisconsin, as well as Oak savanna types of ecosystems through creative management plans.
Comment #: 125
If the Badger Ammunition Plant is acquired by the DNR, we have a unique opportunity to restore tallgrass and shortgrass prairies to Wisconsin, as well as Oak savanna types of ecosystems through creative management plans.
Comment #: 126
If there is any way at all to bring them back, I say do it.
Comment #: 127
I agree with the savannas and barrens. They are in short supply and probably should be increased; how much will be part of the planning decision. I definitely do not agree that riparian forests are becoming significantly degraded. If this is true, it is not the result of forestry, but ag and development. The BMP's for water quality address the water quality issue as it relates to forestry very well.
Comment #: 128
Yes, Need to consider the diversity of our ecosystems which is just another part of the larger biodiversity picture.
Comment #: 129
We can't allow economics and selfishness to degrade our natural resources!!
Comment #: 130
Hemlock can't also tollerate the current climate of Wisconsin. Take a look at its' tollerences and the presettlement climate of Wisconsin and you will understand why Hemlock i doomed in Wisconsin.
Comment #: 131
This is likely the most critical issue to be addressed. The challenge is to get the people to understand why it is so important, then to convince the legislature to support it in laws and available money.
Comment #: 132
This is one of the "biggest deals" but we must not loose sight of the fact the humans live on earth too. We will probably never convert cornfields back to savannas or prairie
Comment #: 133
I like the recent advances in understanding of prarie ecosystems and would like to see more done to encourage prarie development
Comment #: 134
Way up there on the list but good luck
in curbing the human population!
Comment #: 135
Barrens and savannahs are the MOST endangered habitat types and species communities in Wisconsin. Restoring these habitats should be a top priority. Hemlock, cedar, and yew restoration must await responsible deer management programs. Until deer browse pressures are reduced, these dwindling species will remain in trouble.
Comment #: 136
Barrens and savannahs are the MOST endangered habitat types and species communities in Wisconsin. Restoring these habitats should be a top priority. Hemlock, cedar, and yew restoration must await responsible deer management programs. Until deer browse pressures are reduced, these dwindling species will remain in trouble.
Comment #: 137
I don't quite understand why man is so interested in manipulating the environment. Its true that ecosystems that once existed are no longer around, but when are we going to accept that we ARE PART of the environment and part of earth's systems! I think we need to watch our impact, but not be so concerned about returning the earth to what it was like BEFORE we were here!
Comment #: 138
Forestry, fisheries, wildlife, shoreland management other DNR programs and local governments should adopt a coordinated approach and plan for protection, use and management of riparian areas. It doesn't have to look the same in all regions of the state but should not be a "minimum standards" approach that simply presides over the eventual development of our valuable riparian resources.
Comment #: 139
Be careful with this one. Saving forested
areas is one thing... limiting development of
"developable" land needs a finer touch.
Comment #: 140
Is this an issue that can be addressed or is it just a result of a natural evolutionary process?
Comment #: 141
I have been and continue to be surprised at the lack of forest/species protection in this state. I know there are many people who care about the forests as resources yet they are outweighed by the uninformed who have controlling, ownership interest.
Comment #: 142
Focus resources for the greatest impact.
Comment #: 143
I totally agree, and special priorities must be barrens, savannahs, old-growth, and continuous riparian stands. Restoring these systems will provide the best conservation return, and is most compelling and urgent.
Comment #: 144
they need to be not so rare
Comment #: 145
Deserts are there to even out the balance of nature, stupid.
Comment #: 146
Savannas, barrens in my opinion are not "forests" and therefore should not be addressed in a statewide forest plan. They can be addressed in a statewide land use plan.
Comment #: 147
We should be able to keep all of the ecosystems on theis earth alive and healthy. We need to work to keep them the same.
Comment #: 148
We should be able to keep all of the ecosystems on theis earth alive and healthy. We need to work to keep them the same.
Comment #: 149
Some of these changes may be due to noromal evolution of species. I would be careful to minimize interference with normal evolutionary activities.
Comment #: 150
Preserve contiguous sections of riparian forest from harvesting and development to maintain water quality and wildlife habitat.
Comment #: 151
Rare ecosystems like barrens should be protected without question when planning. Prevent further loss. Plan for restoration when possible. Use volunteer groups for labor if applicable.
Comment #: 152
Unless the loss of specific habitat also is accompanied by the loss of species this is a lower priority.
Comment #: 153
God provided these lands for our use and enjoyment
Comment #: 154
God provided these lands for our use and enjoyment
Comment #: 155
Again, succession is cited as a reason that savannas are declining. Succession is a natural process and shouldn't be reversed just because it happens. Only if the natural processes have been disturbed (ie. fire suppression) should these areas be managed.
Comment #: 156
Human safety should be considered. Restricted development could be considered, but the plan should not be one which allows sweeping control shift from private land owners to State control.
Comment #: 157
The growth in rural areas has incresed very rapidly. I think no one should be allowed to build when there is a direct impact on streams and rivers.
Last Revised: Monday July 30 2007
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