Governor Knowles State Forest Biotic Inventory

The Governor Knowles State Forest Biotic Inventory was a survey and analysis of selected natural resources of the Governor Knowles State Forest. The Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) Program, part of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Bureau of Endangered Resources, conducted the inventory in cooperation with the Division of Forestry. The overall goals were to provide baseline information on rare species, high-quality natural communities, and the overall ecology of the Governor Knowles State Forest (GKSF). Highlighting the property's best opportunities to conserve biological diversity was the major focus of this project.

A biotic inventory provides an ecological background to consider when developing a state forest master plan. This report is intended to be used in combination with other sources, including the "Regional and Property Assessment" for developing overall management recommendations for the forest. In addition to the department master planning teams, we hope this report will be useful to property managers, administrators, conservation groups, private landowners, and others who have an interest in conserving the biological diversity of this area.

Download the Report [PDF 5625KB]

Exceptional Characteristics of the Governor Knowles State Forest

Note: this section is an excerpt from the report. Please download the complete report for more information.

The GKSF contains numerous ecologically important attributes, including several examples of High Conservation Value Forests. The characteristics described below are of major importance for master planning and understanding the area's biodiversity values. They are not listed in order of importance.

• St. Croix River. The GKSF was established to protect the Saint Croix River, following its national recognition as one of the eight original Wild and Scenic Rivers in the US. The stretch of the St Croix adjacent to the GKSF is entirely free-flowing and, in terms of fauna, is part of the longest and most pristine example of a large river ecosystem in the Midwest (WDNR 2002). The river supports exceptional aquatic diversity, including a high number of rare species such as the State Endangered St. Croix snaketail dragonfly (Ophiogomphus susbehcha), and several others. This stretch of the St. Croix is also being considered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for re-introduction of the winged mapleleaf (Quadrula fragosa) mussel (L. Kitchel, pers. communication). Within the GKSF, numerous seeps and streams emanate from the terrace adjoining the river valley, ultimately feeding into the river. Ten of the GKSF streams that feed the St. Croix are designated Exceptional Resource Waters. Therefore, the GKSF has a critical role in contributing to the water quality and overall ecological integrity of the St. Croix.
• Ecological Connections. The location and shape of the GKSF make it extremely valuable as an ecological connector. In addition to its ecological relationship to the St Croix via 55 miles of the National Scenic Riverway, the GKSF is part of a significant forested corridor crossing portions of two states in an area otherwise dominated by agriculture, small non-industrial forests, and residential developments. These forests support numerous rare species and are likely to be of even greater importance if development pressures continue in the surrounding landscape. The property also provides potential future opportunities to connect barrens remnants and restorations; these habitats are mostly limited to tiny fragments in many places in Wisconsin where they still exist. Finally, there are opportunities within the GKSF to connect ecologically significant sites such as State Natural Areas and other Primary Sites. Several of the existing natural areas have artificial, non-ecologically based boundaries, and there are excellent opportunities on the property to modify the borders in an ecological manner, connecting these habitats and increasing their long-term viability.
• Forested Seeps. These specialized habitats are particularly abundant on the GKSF and found in numerous places, especially where the base of the escarpment meets the river terrace. The GKSF probably has a higher concentration of these features than any other state-managed land. These areas support high plant diversity and likely support several amphibian species and numerous invertebrates. They also contribute to high water quality of the streams to which they feed. The Primary Sites contain a portion of the seeps present on the GKSF, and there are many other undocumented occurrences on the property. These areas are very susceptible to physical and hydrological damage.
• Large Wetlands. The GKSF contains extensive areas of good-quality forested wetlands. Hardwood Swamps are common and can be extensive, and there are several areas of good-quality conifer swamps. These natural communities often occur within a diverse wetland mosaic within the river valley with numerous interesting microsites such as seeps, streams, and open small wetlands throughout. All of these are known to harbor rare species. In addition to several smaller areas of high-quality wetlands, the Kohler-Peet Wetlands (Site GK03) is particularly notable for its large size and the wide variety of forested and unforested wetland types that are present.
• Dry Forest and Barrens Communities. Pine Barrens and pine-oak dominated dry forest were once widespread across northwestern Wisconsin, providing habitat for a suite of plant and animal species. Following a long history of land use changes and fire suppression, many of these communities have become simplified and fragmented. As a result, many characteristic species of flora and fauna are no longer common within the Northwest Sands. The GKSF contains some good quality, species-rich barrens remnants, as well as a few good examples of dry forest with native herb species. Although these areas are often small, they offer opportunities for restoration and demonstration, especially given the current rarity of barrens communities statewide, regionally, and globally. Several rare species are associated with these communities on the GKSF.
• Areas with Diverse and Unusual Species Composition. Because of its relationship to the Tension Zone and its soils, landforms, and hydrology, the GKSF supports unusual community variants and diverse species combinations not often seen on state lands. For example, the property contains unusual mesic hardwood forest types that are difficult to classify and do not fit well into existing classification systems. These forests feature the unusual combination of bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) along with sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and herbs typically associated with nutrient-rich mesic habitats. A diverse assemblage of animal and plant species has been found in some of these habitats, including several rare birds. In general, the property contains a mix of northern and southern species, including many that occur here at or near their range limits.
• Old-growth Management Opportunities. Stands of old forest are rare statewide (WDNR 2006b), and the WDNR Statewide Forest Plan (WDNR 2004) contains an objective to "conserve, protect, and manage old growth forests and, where feasible, encourage their appropriate representation on the variety of ownerships." The GKSF provides opportunities to develop forest stands with old-growth attributes of several different types and with different ecological characteristics.