Laserfiche WebLink
Forests and Native Plant Communities <br /> Prior to European settlement,Pequot Lakes was covered primarily by Jack pine barrens. The <br /> expansion of railroads to the area resulted in heavy logging from 1870- 1920.Today,nearly 55 <br /> percent of the land within Pequot Lakes is forested,featuring stands of pines,spruce,fir,aspen,and <br /> `- mixed hardwoods of varying ages'.The diverse mix of tree,shrub,and ground cover species <br /> provides habitat for species requiring core forest habitat and those requiring edge forest habitat. <br /> ' , Forests also contribute to natural beauty and provide a buffer to development by reducing air and <br /> noise pollution,screening bright lights,stopping soil erosion,intercepting stormwater,and providing <br /> shade and wind protection. Lastly,the forestry industry contributes to the local economy,accounting <br /> for nearly half of all manufacturing jobs in Crow Wing County'. <br /> ``•-t.. Most forested land in Pequot Lakes is privately owned,with nearly 800 acres owned by the Potlatch <br /> Company. Potlatch leases much of its land to private individuals and entities for hunting and other <br /> &„.„ low-impact recreational uses.Although it plans to continue managing its land for timber,Potlatch <br /> hopes to lease more land in the future and would consider leasing or selling property to public <br /> entities'. Nearly 23 percent of forest land in Pequot Lakes is owned and managed by the Minnesota <br /> Department of Natural Resources,while 14 percent is owned by Crow Wing County,and eight <br /> s.. percent is owned by the United States Bureau of Land Management.Pequot Lakes can work to <br /> `� acquire and better manage its remaining forests by collaborating with private and public land owners. <br /> tCore and Edge Forest <br /> Most forested land in Pequot Lakes is highly fragmented with very few parcels left in large tracts. <br /> `' Inner forests–also known as"core"forests–are becoming increasingly rare as roads and 1 <br /> housing developments spread across the landscape. Core forests constitutes interior forest lands <br /> D at least 100 feet from the`edge"of a forest. They are characterized by mature, climax forest tree <br /> species–including white pine, Norway pine, oaks and maples–and support wildlife species that <br /> require a greater degree of privacy and cover. These species include martens, fishers, wolves, <br /> and migratory songbirds such as warblers and vireos. <br /> Edge forests support a diverse array of game species that are more tolerant of disturbance and <br /> human interaction, including grouse, deer, fox, black bear and hares. Edge forests are generally <br /> characterized by transitional phases of forest development and situated along natural or man- <br /> i. made openings. Trembling aspen, birch, alder, and sumac are common edge tree species. <br /> Efforts to link forest core patches via natural"corridors", particularly via i`dit.,(,o') <br /> riparian corridors, can help to support wildlife populations in both core <br /> and edge forest habitat by facilitating movement and dispersion. /Corr <br /> }�ltt5 /// <br /> ria 7}re-d hit f oentbn 1-- <br /> 001 �'J� looacac 4-Pisk Core <br /> odor <br /> ray.;fpri6w Corr L �Cdri ors ,� . bF <br /> 2003 rjeetlal'G, hal7i4- l p; .eS bn—' ��� S4�ivisir++ <br /> art-1-1 jh--tccm/r ne t4.J._. <br /> 5ys4-44v4,1. 'No-"dtudoern44 }- <br /> 4.0 acres 4- <br /> ` Large tracts of core forest patches left intact also ensure the longevity .4,4 1^ s <br /> — of core wildlife species. One road or small subdivision bisecting a core 'Sy by <br /> imi forest patch can drastically reduce the amount of core forest habitat and 4"---"c""--- <br /> isolate wildlife populations that previously interacted as one population. <br /> oft''' bums <br /> s <br /> Comprehensive Plan <br />