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Coates, D.T., S.E. Jenkins, J.E. Ebinger, and W.E. McClain. Woody vegetation survey of Barkhausen Woods, a closed canopy sand forest in Mason County, Illinois. Pp. 1-6.
Abstract:An inventory of the woody vegetation of a 4 ha section of a closed canopy sand forest in Mason County, Illinois gave a stand composition of 237.9 stems/ha (above 10 cm dbh), and a basal area of 16.3 m2/ha. A total of 26 woody species were encountered, 3 were canopy trees, 14 were understory trees, and 9 were shrubs and vines. Black oak was the leading dominant with 77% of the basal area, 35% of the individuals, and with an importance value (IV) of 111.2 (out of 200). Black hickory ranked second (IV of 61.5), followed by blackjack oak (IV of 22.0). The more mesic species were not very common, restricted to the seedling and saplings layers, and a few individuals in a lower diameter class. Black oak and black hickory, however, dominate the seedling and sapling layer as well and the lower diameter classes, ensuring the future replacement of veteran trees.
Baumgartner, S.S., S.E. Jenkins, M.A. Jenkins, and J.E. Ebinger. Woody vegetation survey of Sullivan Woods, Moultrie County, Illinois. Pp. 7-12.
Abstract:An inventory was completed of the woody vegetation at Sullivan Woods, a dry mesic upland forest located in the Grand Prairie Natural Division of east central Illinois, Moultrie County. This forest, which is dominated by Quercus alba L., Carya ovata (Mill.) K. Koch, Acer saccharum Marsh., and Ulmus rubra Muhl., has a stand composition of 252 stems/ha, with an average basal area of 24.6 m2/ha. Quercus alba accounts for 37% of the individuals (above 10 cm dbh) and 64% of the basal area. The understory is dominated by Ulmus rubra, which accounts for nearly 50% of the seedlings and saplings.
Gardner, D. Additions to the flora of Ford County, Illinois. Pp. 13-16.
Herkert, J.R. and G. Kruse. Changes in Illinois' list of endangered and threatened plant species. Pp. 17-21.
Abstract:During 1989 and 1990 the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board reviewed and updated the Illinois list of endangered and threatened plant species. This review resulted in a number of status changes for plants, the results of which are summarized in this report. Thirty-five species were added to the list, 43 species were removed from the list, 6 species had their status changed from endangered to threatened, and 3 species had their status changed from threatened to endangered. The net decrease of 8 species brings the total of endangered and threatened plant species in Illinois to 356 (296 endangered and 60 threatened). Persons wishing to obtain a complete listing of Illinois endangered and threatened species should contact the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board, 524 South Second Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701. A listing of some pertinent references is given at the end of this paper.
Morrison, L.R. Iliamna remota: an Illinois native returns home. Pp. 22-25.
Bowles, M., R. Flakne, and R. Dombeck. Status and population fluctuations of the eastern prairie fringed orchid [Platanthera leucophaea (Nutt.) Lindl.] in Illinois. Pp. 26-40.
Abstract:Historically, the federal threatened eastern prairie fringed orchid [Platanthera leucophaea (Nutt.) Lindl.] reached it greatest abundance in Illinois, occurring in 33 counties throughout the northern two-thirds of the state. Most Illinois populations now occur in loess soils over glacial till or outwash in both upland and wetland habitats. Over a twelve-year period (1980-91), statewide censuses of all known populations ranged from 4 to 313 flowering plants, with plants appearing more consistently in wetland sites and during years of high rainfall. This suggests that wetland habitat may be critical in maintaining populations, and that long-term monitoring is needed to understand population dynamics better. Twenty-one populations are extant in Illinois, nineteen of which are in six Chicago-region counties. These populations represent a 75% decline in extant county records, and probably a far greater overall decline in total numbers of plants. Using an artificial viability index based on population size, habitat size, community successional stage, legal protection, and management needs, we concluded that only one Illinois population currently has high viability. Several other populations can be made highly viable through management and protection. We suggest that successful long-term management of Illinois populations will depend upon maintenance of late-successional prairie conditions, primarily through burning, and may also require artificial management for regeneration niches. Continued monitoring, both of populations and of individual plants, is needed to understand the interactions between prairie fringed orchids and their environment and to help guide management of this state endangered species.
Wilhelm, G. Technical comments on the proposed revisions to the 1989 wetland delineation manual. Pp. 41-50.
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