Grassland

GRASSLAND

Grassland

Hilltop Prairie

The dry hilltop prairies found within the Severson Dells Forest Preserve can be labeled as Dolomite Prairies. The sedimentary rock known as dolomite occurs at a shallow depth from the surface and hosts a rare and delicate ecosystem. Dolomite has a high magnesium content, which means the soil is alkaline and rich in that mineral. For this reason, dolomite prairies boast a unique species composition with very few trees. The shallow bedrock prevents the prairie soil from draining so the plants in this community are adapted survive in saturated soil in the spring and dry soil in the summer. A 1992 survey found that only 140 acres of this habitat type remain in Illinois.


The dry hilltop prairie habitats are in need of consistent management. Efforts are being made to clear invasive species as well as late-successional species (black cherry, hackberry) from shading the hilltop prairies.


Common Plants

Common Birds

Other Animals

Wet Prairie

A wet prairie is a wetland dominated by grass species, although species diversity is lower than that of other prairie communities. The soil is nearly always saturated and surface water is present in spring and winter. It is usually neutral in pH and is high in loam or silt content and organic content. Our wet prairies can be found in the creek’s floodplain and have small, seasonal streams interspersed throughout. Seasonal flooding and soil saturation prevents encroachment of tree and shrub species in this habitat. Like other prairie habitats, fire is essential for maintaining the health of this community.


Although each species would have traditionally been located on site, at this time we do not have any representation. The wetland areas of Severson Dells Forest Preserve are currently choked with Reed Canary grass and the landscape-scale restoration and adaptive management techniques will address this problem in the future.


Common Plants

Common Birds

Other Animals

Old Field

The old field communities, or successional fields are old abandoned fields and pastures. The majority of the Severson Dell Forest Preserve could fall under the label of abandoned pasture. Currently the acreage along Montague Road that is in production crop and the areas surrounding the nursery buildings are slowly being restored into tallgrass prairie through efforts of plantings by the forest preserve staff. These areas of native grass plantings are essential for the forest preserves staff for harvests in the fall as part of their management needs.


Common Birds

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