Importance of Place

Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) data are an important component of Wisconsin's biodiversity, but many other ecological characteristics also need to be considered. The following ecological components describe the ecological significance of a Place and are critical in evaluating and making decisions on any landscape.

Ecological Landscapes
Ecological landscapes are unique geographic areas defined by patterns of landforms, geology, soils, vegetation, natural processes, and climate. Wisconsin DNR has developed a simplified ecoregional classification from the US Forest Service's National Hierarchical Framework of Ecological Units to create a system of 17 distinct Ecological Landscapes. In the future, the Departments plans on defining these units further into landtype associations. The Department's recently compiled Ecological Landscape Handbook provides detailed maps, a detailed description of the ecological, socio-economic and institutional information, and general ecological management opportunities for each ecological landscape.

Vegetation Communities
Wisconsin's Biodiversity as a Management Issue (1995) identifies seven vegetation communities that represent an aggregation of the more numerous natural communities described by Curtis (1959). This report, as well as the DNR's Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin Handbook (2001), describes each of the seven communities and provides an overview of the ecological issues and opportunities for conservation and restoration potential. Such issues are critical to sustaining biodiversity and should be considered for all management activities.

Basins and Water Bodies
Watersheds are defined by natural hydrology and represent the most logical basis for managing water resources. Watershed management can offer a strong foundation for uncovering the many stressors that affect a watershed. The result is management better equipped to determine what actions are needed to protect or restore the resource. Each of the basins within Wisconsin have or are developing a basin plan that provides a general overview and discusses the watershed and land priorities and recommendations for protection and conservation. See Wisconsin Basins and GMUs for more information. DNR staff should be familiar with their basin's planning report.

Natural Heritage Data
Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) Data provide information on known occurrences of rare plants and animals, high quality or representative examples of natural communities, and other significant natural features throughout the state. These data are representative of Wisconsin's biodiversity, especially those elements that are particularly threatened or vulnerable due to habitat loss, fragmentation, degradations, etc. NHI Data are the foundation of the NHI Portal and is searchable by element or geographic area. In addition, the NHI Program conducts comprehensive surveys for various areas throughout the state. The NHI Inventory Reports are focused on specific project areas and provide synthesized information with considerations for management and conservation. The various reports are provided under the Related Reports tab of the Placed-based Report.

State Natural Areas
State Natural Areas (SNAs) protect outstanding examples of Wisconsin's native landscape - often the last refuge for rare plants and animals. Natural Areas are valuable for research and educational use, the preservation of genetic and biological diversity, and for providing benchmarks for determining the impact of use on managed lands. As such, they are not intended for intensive recreation. Protection of these ecologically significant sites is critical to sustaining ecosystems.