LIP Priority Areas
Prairie and Savanna Habitat

Prairie and savanna habitat is found in approximately the southwestern two-thirds of Wisconsin. During the 5,000 years preceding European settlement, prairies and oak savannas dominated this area with a variety of plants and animals especially suited to these disturbance-dependent systems

Over the past 150 years, prairie and savanna have been greatly reduced and degraded throughout their range. Most prairie and savanna habitat has been converted to crop production, or has been invaded by shrubs and trees as a result of fire suppression. As a result, many of the plants and animals dependent on these habitats are now scattered throughout the few remaining habitat remnants.

Invasive plants are an ever-increasing threat to the integrity of the remaining prairie and savanna. remnants. Invasive species were not originally found in this area, and by definition they have the ability to invade natural systems and proliferate, often dominating a community to the detriment and sometimes the exclusion of all native species.

Private landowners of prairie and savanna habitat are vital to meeting the challenge to protect and manage prairie and savanna habitats in a way that will help maintain the biodiversity of Wisconsin. Additional information on prairies and savannas can be found in Wisconsin's Wildlife Action Plan

Contacts

For information on Prairie and Savanna Habitat and at-risk species:

Darcy Kind
Prairie and Savanna Habitat Biologist
PO Box 7921
Madison , WI 53707-7921
608-267-9789