Photo by Matthew Bushman
State Rank: S1 Global Rank: G3? what are these ranks?
Mesic cedar forest is a rare upland forest community of mesic sites in northern Wisconsin characterized by northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis) and various associates including hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), white spruce (Abies balsamea), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), and white pine (Pinus strobus). The herb layer may contain Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), twinflower (Linnaea borealis), club-mosses (Lycopodium spp., Huperzia spp, etc.), and others. More information is needed on this community type.
The following Species of Greatest Conservation Need are listed according to their level of association with the Mesic Cedar Forest 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Four-toed Salamander | Hemidactylium scutatum | 3 |
| Mink Frog | Lithobates septentrionalis | 1 |
| Pickerel Frog | Lithobates palustris | 1 |
| Aquatic and terrestrial snails | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Flat-whorl | Planogyra asteriscus | 2 |
| Birds | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Least Flycatcher | Empidonax minimus | 3 |
| Long-eared Owl | Asio otus | 2 |
| American Woodcock | Scolopax minor | 1 |
| Black-backed Woodpecker | Picoides arcticus | 1 |
| Northern Goshawk | Accipiter gentilis | 1 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | Buteo lineatus | 1 |
| Swainson's Thrush | Catharus ustulatus | 1 |
| Grasshoppers and allies | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Crackling Forest Grasshopper | Trimerotropis verruculata | 1 |
| Mammals | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| American Marten | Martes americana | 3 |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Glaucomys sabrinus | 3 |
| Little Brown Bat | Myotis lucifugus | 2 |
| Northern Long-eared Bat | Myotis septentrionalis | 2 |
| Silver-haired Bat | Lasionycteris noctivagans | 2 |
| Water Shrew | Sorex palustris | 2 |
| Woodland Jumping Mouse | Napaeozapus insignis | 2 |
| Reptiles | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Turtle | Glyptemys insculpta | 3 |
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 Mesic Cedar Forest, based on the Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin Handbook.
| Ecological Landscape | Opportunity |
|---|---|
| North Central Forest | Important |
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
Mesic Cedar Forest with mixed components of upland cedar, hemlock, white pine, and maple.
Photo by Matthew Bushman.
Mesic Cedar Forest with mixed components of upland cedar, hemlock, white pine, and maple.
Photo by Matthew Bushman.
Mesic Cedar Forest with mixed components of upland cedar, hemlock, white pine, and maple.
Photo by Matthew Bushman.
Mesic Cedar Forest with mixed components of upland cedar, hemlock, white pine, and maple.
Photo by Matthew Bushman.
Mesic Cedar Forest with typical ground layer.
Photo by Matthew Bushman.
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.