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i <br />~ ~~,, Community: 11-3N <br />i Community Type: Oak forest dry subtype <br />' Qualitative Rank: C -Moderate condition natural community <br />Additional Wetland(s) present <br />i Field Check Visited part of the site <br />~ Restoration Potential: High <br />MCBS Site: Biodiversity Threatened / <br />Endangered <br />~ Community Description: <br />~ This dry oak forest community is on an east-facing slope that descends in a series of <br />' broad terraces to a poor fen at the base of the slope. The patchy canopy is strongly <br />oak dominated and includes mostly pin. oak and bur oak. These generally have small <br />~ crowns and straight boles, indicating that the site has most likely always been forest. <br />1 Many of the pin oak have dead or dying branches along their trunk and within the <br />1 crown. This does not appear to be oat wilt, but may be a result of shade or other <br />factor. Clumps of paper birch are scattered through the site. The shrub/understory <br />1 layer is nearly continuous and in places makes walking through the site difficult. The <br />1 native prickly ash is common, and the non-native European buckthorn is present in <br />~ low levels. Ironwood is also common, and the native species hazel brush and <br />chokecherry are present in low levels. <br />The site was grazed historically, as evidenced by-the fencing around the site and the <br />altered ground layer composition. Native species dominate the ground level though <br />species that tend to increase in grazed areas are also present. Species encountered include <br />Pennsylvania sedge, Enchanters nightshade lopseed, and sweet Cicely. The latter are all bur- <br />fruited species that tend to be readily dispersed by livestock. <br />Overall the site is in moderate condition. <br />.Restoration Comments: <br />Community: 11-5N <br />Community Type: Poor fen <br />Qualitative Rank: C -Moderate condition natural community <br />Additional <br />Field Check Visited the edge of the site <br />Restoration Potential: <br />MCBS Site: Biodiversity Threatened / <br />Endangered <br />Community Description: <br />This community is a large wetland basin, surrounded by moderate to <br />City of Elk River, MN -Natural Resouce Inventory <br />Bonestroo Natural Resources, September 2004 <br />