COST-SHARE PROGRAM > Northwoods Lakes Project >
Measuring the Value of Wildlife Habitat Restoration on Northern > Wisconsin Lakes - The Wisconsin Lakeshore Restoration Project
Mike Meyer - WDNR Science Services, Rhinelander, WI. / Dan Haskell and David Flaspohler, Michigan Technical University, Houghton, MI. / Patrick Goggin and Carolyn Scholl – Vilas County LWCD, Eagle River, WI. / Stacy Dehne – DATCP, Phillips, WI.
Recent studies conducted by Wisconsin Department of natural Resources (WDNR) Science Services and University of Wisconsin-madison Trout Lake Research Station have documented dramatic alteration of riparian habitat (terrestrial and littoral zone) on many lakes in northern Wisconsin. The alteration is primarily due to shoreland housing development and has resulted in negative changes in native plant communities, simplification of habitat structure, and changes in fish, amphibian, and bird populations. This research and management project has implemented shoreland habitat restoration on a sample of lakes in northcentral Wisconsin and quantifies the ecological benefits of the restoration via biotic surveys. We develop site-specific management recommendations for lakeshore property owners who participate in the restoration program and initiated conservation projects at several properties in 2007. Restoration activities include conservation (no-cut, no disturbance) and restoration of native vegetation (three tiers > trees, shrubs, and groundlayer in the terrestrial buffer zone and near-shore littoral zone habitat), removal of exotic and invasive species, placement of physical structures and coarse woody habitat to reduce erosion and run-off, and other proven management techniques designed to enhance wildlife diversity and abundance. Biotic surveys include baseline inventories before conservation work commences, including measures of relative abundance and diversity of native vegetation, herptiles, breeding birds, small mammals, and furbearers. Surveys are repeated annually as conservation projects proceed. The project will focus restoration efforts on a sample of four lakes where habitat impacts are significant and private landowners on a considerable portion of the shoreline agree to participate in the program efforts. Incentives will be offered to recruit participation. The study design will also include a control sample; four lakes with significant habitat alteration that do not receive restoration efforts.
Before / after photograph series - 2007 Found Lake sites |
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Native plant list |
Hanson's Garden Village in Rhinelander and Northern Lakes Landscaping in Eagle River were major partners in the 2007 field season!
