. Critical trends in Illinois ecosystems. Ecological assessment (Biology); Environmental impact analysis; Nature; Pollution; Conservation of natural resources; Environmental quality. The streams that originate in the Headwaters area are among the most pristine and scenic in the state, and even though agricul- ture is the dominant land use, a surprising diversity of natural communities can still be found here. These include seven types of forest, five kinds of prairie, four types of savanna, plus seeps and cUffs, many of which are protected in the region's 15 nature preserves. However, forests
. Critical trends in Illinois ecosystems. Ecological assessment (Biology); Environmental impact analysis; Nature; Pollution; Conservation of natural resources; Environmental quality. The streams that originate in the Headwaters area are among the most pristine and scenic in the state, and even though agricul- ture is the dominant land use, a surprising diversity of natural communities can still be found here. These include seven types of forest, five kinds of prairie, four types of savanna, plus seeps and cUffs, many of which are protected in the region's 15 nature preserves. However, forests of all types cover only a little more than 2% of the land area of the Headwaters compared to more than 11% statewide, and wetlands cover only 1% â about 11,500 acres of floodplain forests, shrub swamps, seeps, ponds and lakes. Other significant features: ⢠the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River is the first Illinois river to be included in the National Wild and Scenic River System; ⢠of the Headwaters has been set aside by the state and counties as parks, fish and wildlife areas, or forest preserves; ⢠two hundred and twenty-five miles of six Headwaters streams (the Middle Fork and Salt Fork of the Vermilion River, Jordan Creek, Stony Creek, the upper Sangamon River, and Lone Tree Creek) have been recognized as Biologically Significant because of their fish and mussel diversity; ⢠167,101 acres have been designated an Illinois Resource Rich Area. qDEFG. â A Cropland (82%) D B Grassland () H C Urban/built-up () â D Upland forest () D E Bottomland forest () â F Water () n G Non-forested wetlands () Plant and animal life At least 46 species of state-threatened or -endan- gered plants and animals occur in the area, including two species (Indiana bat and clubshell) that are federalh' endangered Basin acreage - 1,072,198 State land* - 7,005 acres County land - ; 10 acres Total natural areas - 3,~ acres High quality natural area
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Keywords: ., bookauthorillinoisnaturalhistorysurveydivisi, booksubjectnature
