The Sand Plains Project

 

One of the striking features of the landscape of northwestern Wisconsin is the extensive area of sandy soils stretching from near Grantsburg in Burnett County, north to the Bayfield Peninsula. This sand plain was created by meltwater as glaciers retreated about 13,000 years ago.  Today the sand plain is home to unusual habitats (such as pine barrens and open savannas) and species such as sharp-tailed grouse. Before European settlement of this region, frequent fires were an important force on the landscape. Many long-time residents of the sand plain counties remember large forest fires.

 

The objectives of this research project are to learn more about lake histories through fire, vegetation, and past climate change interactions to create the landscape patterns we see on the sand plain today. For example, in looking carefully at the composition of forests across the sand plain, one can see far more oaks and mixed pine species in the southern counties than in the central part of the sand plain where jack pine dominates. We investigate causes and developments of these changes.

 

Learn more about the background, our current work, results so far, and samping techniques in the Sand Plains.