Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin

"The Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin" is a book that identifies the best areas of the state to manage for different natural communities, key habitats, aquatic features and native plants and animals from an ecosystem management perspective. It also highlights socio-economic activities that are compatible with sustaining these important features across Wisconsin. In addition, it prioritizes Wisconsin's most ecologically-important resources relative to the rest of the continent and beyond.

The book provides information to assist management and planning decisions at different scales and encourages the use of a long-term perspective. It is intended to help users better understand the ecology and socio-economic characteristics of the 16 Ecological Landscapes that make up Wisconsin, so all of Wisconsin's native species and natural communities can be sustained.

Part One: Introductory Material

Chapter Title View and Download	Description
Cover and table of contents [PDF]	Cover page, publication information, and table of contents
Divider page 1 [PDF]	Divider page
Introduction [PDF]	Origin, purpose, and organization of the document and where the materials can be found.
Chapter 1. Principles of Ecosystem and Landscape-scale Management [PDF]	Basic principles of the ecosystem and landscape-scale management and how to use them in land and water management planning.
Chapter 2. Assessment of Current Conditions [PDF]	Statewide assessments of the major natural community groups in the state as well as the state's socioeconomic characteristics.
Chapter 3. Comparison of Ecological Landscapes [PDF]	Compares the ecological and socioeconomic characteristics among the ecological landscapes in Wisconsin and identifies how they differ.
Chapter 4. Changes and Trends in Ecosystems and Landscape Features [PDF]	Discusses changes and trends in Wisconsin ecosystems over time.
Chapter 5. Current and Emerging Resource Issues [PDF]	Major current and emerging issues in the state.
Chapter 6. Opportunities for Management [PDF]	Identifies the most significant ecological opportunities and the best places to manage important natural resources in the state.
Chapter 7. Natural Communities, Aquatic Features, and Other Selected Habitats of Wisconsin [PDF]	Descriptions of each of Wisconsin's natural communities.
Future Needs [PDF]	Future needs related to implementing ecosystem and landscape-scale management in Wisconsin.

Part Two - Ecological Landscape Analyses

Part 2 provides a detailed assessment of the ecological and socio-economic conditions for each of the 16 individual ecological landscapes. These chapters identify important considerations when planning management actions in a given ecological landscape and suggest management opportunities that are compatible with the ecology of the ecological landscape.

Chapter Title
View and Download

Divider page 2 [PDF]

Chapter 8. Central Lake Michigan Coastal [PDF]

Chapter 9. Central Sand Hills [PDF]

Chapter 10. Central Sand Plains [PDF]

Chapter 11. Forest Transition [PDF]

Chapter 12. North Central Forest [PDF]

Chapter 13. Northeast Sands [PDF]

Chapter 14. Northern Highland [PDF]

Chapter 15. Northern Lake Michigan Coastal [PDF]

Chapter 16. Northwest Lowlands [PDF]

Chapter 17. Northwest Sands [PDF]