Definition

Detailed Community Description from Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin

General natural community overview

As defined by Curtis, this is an oak-dominated savanna community in which there is less than 50% tree canopy coverage and more than one tree per acre. Historically, Oak Openings were very abundant and occurred on wet-mesic to dry sites. Today, very few examples of this type exist. The few extant remnants are mostly on drier sites, with the mesic and wet-mesic oak openings almost totally destroyed by conversion to agricultural or residential uses, and by the encroachment of other woody plants due to fire suppression. Bur, white, and black oaks (Quercus macrocarpa, Q. alba and Q. velutina) are dominant in mature stands, typically as large, open-grown trees with distinctive limb architecture. Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) is sometimes present. American hazelnut (Corylus americana) is a common understory shrub. The herb layer is similar to those found in oak forests and prairies, with many of the same grasses and forbs present. There are some plants (e.g., kitten-tails (Besseya bullii) and animals (e.g., red-headed woodpecker, orchard oriole, eastern bluebird) that reach their optimal abundance in the openings.

Rare animals

Species of Greatest Conservation Need

The following Species of Greatest Conservation Need are listed according to their level of association with the Oak Opening 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.

Please see Section 2. Approach and Methods of the Wildlife Action Plan to learn how this information was developed.

Rare plants

The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.

Landscapes

The following Ecological Landscapes have the best opportunities to manage for Oak Opening, based on the Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin Handbook.

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.

Threats/Actions

What are conservation actions?

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

Considerations

The following are additional considerations for Oak Opening in Ecological Landscapes with opportunities for protection, restoration, and/or management. For more information, see the Wildlife Action Plan.

Southeast Glacial Plains

The Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest offers some of the best management and restoration opportunities in the upper Midwest, including Eagle Oak Opening (Waukesha County). Other good examples occur at Lulu Lake State Natural Area (Walworth County).

Southern Lake Michigan Coastal

Several Milwaukee County Parks and a few other public lands (e.g., Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area in Kenosha County) have small-scale opportunities to manage for this community type.

Southwest Savanna

More refined boundary information is needed. There are pastured savannas here that have never been plowed that have characteristic structural features, and may have retained at least some important understory components.

Western Coulee and Ridges

There are many overgrown sites and restoration opportunities are excellent in this Ecological Landscape. Some examples of this type are found at Avoca Prairie-Savanna (Iowa County), Red Cedar River Savanna State Natural Area and Caryville Savanna (Dunn County), and Lower Chippewa River State Natural Area (Buffalo, Dunn, Trempealeau Counties). Inventory projects that are designed to reveal priority restoration sites would likely yield positive results in this EL.

Western Prairie

Some of the Waterfowl Production Areas and Wildlife Areas in this Ecological Landscape (e.g., Oak Ridge Lake Waterfowl Production Area in St. Croix County) offer restoration potential for this community type.

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating your photos to the Natural Heritage Conservation Program for educational uses. Photo use

Oak Opening Photos

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.