An Endangered Ecosystem Interpretation Sign Stearns Creek Park ~ Grand Haven, Michigan
Stearns Creek Bayou
99.9 % of Savanna have been destroyed in Michigan
Time to harvest the crop
To encourage the growth of native prairie species. Ottawa County Parks will be removing the old pine plantations. This will improve the health of the land & hopefully restore one of Michigan's rarest ecosystems.
You will see major changes when this work begins. Those changes may seem counterintuitive at first, bu t a diverse, native ecosystem is waiting to re-grow when the pines are removed.
Most of the pine trees at Stearns Creek were planted with the purpose of harvesting them for Christmas trees or lumber. Although unharvested pine stands seem natural to some, they are simply a row crop like corn. Many of these trees would not naturally grow here & if not harvested, these trees can become diseased & die.
Along the trails, you will find clues to Stearns Creek's history as a savanna. Scattered uncommon prairie plants, such as prickly pear cactus & frostweed can be found in opening within the pine plantation.
*Eastern prickly pear cactus
Photo courtesy of Ivo M. Vermeulen
*Frostweed
Photo courtesy of AE Cole via Flickr
*Pine plantation at Stearns Creek that will be harvested & restored.
Oak Savanna Restoration
Oak savannas ecosystems have scattered trees & an abundance of grasses & wildflowers. These ecosystems are highly diverse & have significant value for wildlife. These wide-open spaces can also be exceptionally beautiful.
At a meeting of the Pioneer Society at Centreville, Michigan, in 1893, Ruth Hoppin, an experienced naturalist who taught taxonomic botany at Smith College (now Eastern Michigan University), was asked to describe a Michigan oak opening in its primeval beauty:
"Such a description would require the eye of an artist & the pen of a poet. In early summer the grass was overtopped with wild flowers surpassing in beautiful effects the most skillful landscape gardening & city park scenery."
*Restores oak savanna in the Minnesota Valley Wildlife National Refuge
Photo courtesy of Save the Dunes
Source: The Great Lakes Botanist
Modern threats to oak savannas
1. Suppression of fire: Fire is an essential part of maintaining the wildflowers, grasses & wildlife that require ample sun. Prescribed fire is used today as a safe alternative to the wildfires of the past.
2. Reforestation: Yes, are good, but too many trees in savanna block sunlight & outcompete other plants for water & nutrients. This can even harm the trees. Oak trees need sunlight to regenerate. Without opening in aok forests, more shade-tolerant species will replace the oaks.
3. Development: The soils & other conditions that create a good environment for oak savannas are often ideal land for residential & commercial development.
4. Invasive species: Invasive species like spotted knapweed & autumn olive can invade savanna resulting in a significant decline in biodiversity & changes to the nonliving parts of the ecosystem, such as soils.
An Endangered Ecosystem Interpretation Sign Stearns Creek Park ~ Grand Haven, Michigan
Stearns Creek Bayou
99.9 % of Savanna have been destroyed in Michigan
Time to harvest the crop
To encourage the growth of native prairie species. Ottawa County Parks will be removing the old pine plantations. This will improve the health of the land & hopefully restore one of Michigan's rarest ecosystems.
You will see major changes when this work begins. Those changes may seem counterintuitive at first, bu t a diverse, native ecosystem is waiting to re-grow when the pines are removed.
Most of the pine trees at Stearns Creek were planted with the purpose of harvesting them for Christmas trees or lumber. Although unharvested pine stands seem natural to some, they are simply a row crop like corn. Many of these trees would not naturally grow here & if not harvested, these trees can become diseased & die.
Along the trails, you will find clues to Stearns Creek's history as a savanna. Scattered uncommon prairie plants, such as prickly pear cactus & frostweed can be found in opening within the pine plantation.
*Eastern prickly pear cactus
Photo courtesy of Ivo M. Vermeulen
*Frostweed
Photo courtesy of AE Cole via Flickr
*Pine plantation at Stearns Creek that will be harvested & restored.
Oak Savanna Restoration
Oak savannas ecosystems have scattered trees & an abundance of grasses & wildflowers. These ecosystems are highly diverse & have significant value for wildlife. These wide-open spaces can also be exceptionally beautiful.
At a meeting of the Pioneer Society at Centreville, Michigan, in 1893, Ruth Hoppin, an experienced naturalist who taught taxonomic botany at Smith College (now Eastern Michigan University), was asked to describe a Michigan oak opening in its primeval beauty:
"Such a description would require the eye of an artist & the pen of a poet. In early summer the grass was overtopped with wild flowers surpassing in beautiful effects the most skillful landscape gardening & city park scenery."
*Restores oak savanna in the Minnesota Valley Wildlife National Refuge
Photo courtesy of Save the Dunes
Source: The Great Lakes Botanist
Modern threats to oak savannas
1. Suppression of fire: Fire is an essential part of maintaining the wildflowers, grasses & wildlife that require ample sun. Prescribed fire is used today as a safe alternative to the wildfires of the past.
2. Reforestation: Yes, are good, but too many trees in savanna block sunlight & outcompete other plants for water & nutrients. This can even harm the trees. Oak trees need sunlight to regenerate. Without opening in aok forests, more shade-tolerant species will replace the oaks.
3. Development: The soils & other conditions that create a good environment for oak savannas are often ideal land for residential & commercial development.
4. Invasive species: Invasive species like spotted knapweed & autumn olive can invade savanna resulting in a significant decline in biodiversity & changes to the nonliving parts of the ecosystem, such as soils.