Photo by Ryan O'Connor
- WDNR
State Rank: SU Global Rank: GNR what are these ranks?
A "spring" is a defined point at which groundwater reaches the surface (a spring seepage is less easily localized or defined). The "spring run" is a defined flowing channel (these can be braided) fed by the spring. Usually they are short and join other spring runs, a stream, a spring pond, or a spring lake. Total alkalinity is <50 ppm. Alkalinity can play a role in determining invertebrate composition of a site (e.g., those that make shells are mostly associated with "hard" water springs).
The following Species of Greatest Conservation Need are listed according to their level of association with the Springs and Spring Runs, Soft natural community type, based on the findings in Wisconsin's 2015 Wildlife Action Plan.
Scores: 3 = high association, 2 = moderate association, and 1 = low association. See the key to association scores for complete definitions.
| Amphibians | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Pickerel Frog | Lithobates palustris | 3 |
| Birds | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| American Woodcock | Scolopax minor | 1 |
| Dragonflies and damselflies | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Delta-spotted Spiketail | Cordulegaster diastatops | 3 |
| Springwater Dancer | Argia plana | 3 |
| Forcipate Emerald | Somatochlora forcipata | 2 |
| Hine's Emerald | Somatochlora hineana | 1 |
| Swamp Darner | Epiaeschna heros | 1 |
| Fishes | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Mud Darter | Etheostoma asprigene | 1 |
| Mammals | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | Eptesicus fuscus | 3 |
| Little Brown Bat | Myotis lucifugus | 3 |
| Northern Long-eared Bat | Myotis septentrionalis | 2 |
| Silver-haired Bat | Lasionycteris noctivagans | 2 |
| Water Shrew | Sorex palustris | 2 |
| Tricolored Bat | Perimyotis subflavus | 1 |
Please see Section 2. Approach and Methods of the Wildlife Action Plan to learn how this information was developed.
The following Ecological Landscapes have the best opportunities to manage for Springs and Spring Runs, Soft, based on the Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin Handbook.
| Ecological Landscape | Opportunity |
|---|---|
| North Central Forest | Major |
| Northern Highland | Major |
| Southwest Savanna | Major |
| Western Coulee and Ridges | Major |
| Central Sand Hills | Important |
| Forest Transition | Important |
| Northeast Sands | Important |
| Northwest Sands | Important |
| Southeast Glacial Plains | Important |
| Western Prairie | Important |
| Central Lake Michigan Coastal | Present |
| Central Sand Plains | Present |
| Northern Lake Michigan Coastal | Present |
| Northwest Lowlands | Present |
| Southern Lake Michigan Coastal | Present |
| Superior Coastal Plain | Present |
Major (3 on map)
A major opportunity for sustaining the natural community in the Ecological Landscape exists, either because many significant occurrences of the natural community have been recorded in the landscape or major restoration activities are likely to be successful maintaining the community's composition, structure, and ecological function over a longer period of time.
Important (2 on map)
Although the natural community does not occur extensively or commonly in the Ecological Landscape, one to several occurrences do occur and are important in sustaining the community in the state. In some cases, important opportunities may exist because the natural community may be restricted to just one or a few Ecological Landscapes within the state and there may be a lack of opportunities elsewhere.
Present (1 on map)
The natural community occurs in the Ecological Landscape, but better management opportunities appear to exist in other parts of the state.
Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the WWAP because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.
Threats/issues and conservations actions for natural communities
Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating your photos to the Natural Heritage Conservation Program for educational uses. Photo use
Soft-water springs and spring run emanating from sandy uplands in Brule River State Forest.
Photo by Ryan O'Connor.
Note: photos are provided to illustrate various examples of natural community types. A single photograph cannot represent the range of variability inherent in a given community type. Some of these photos explicitly illustrate unusual and distinctive community variants. The community photo galleries are a work in progress that we will expand and improve in the future.