5.10. SR 12-20-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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large-flowered beard-tongue (Penstemon grandiflorus), hairy puccoon (Lithospermum caroliniense), and silky prairie-clover (Petalostemum vi/losum). Prairie willow (Sa/ix humi/is) is generally a common low shrub in this subtype. Several plant species characteristic of the Barrens Subtype (for example, the State-listed false heather (Hudsonia tomentosa)) are restricted to local disturbances such as active blowouts or slipfaces. The Barrens Subtype often occurs as inclusions in areas of Dry Oak Savanna or Oak Woodland. The Barrens Subtype grades into Mesic Prairie or even into Wet Prairie in low areas or where sand grades into richer soils. In Elk River, occurrences are of Barrens prairie are found on outwash along the Mississippi River and on the Anoka Sand Plain. Other Plant Assemblages (MLCCS Semi-natural Community Types) There are a number of plant assemblages in the study area that do not have sufficient species composition, three-dimensional structure, or overall function to be considered natural communities as described in Minnesota's Native Vegetation. A Key to Natural Communities (MN DNR 1993). These communities were assigned community names according to the protocols of the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System. These were included in this as part of the inventory as a way of creating a more complete picture for the permanent habitats within the city. Although they are not natural areas by definition, they possess one or several characteristics that contribute to overall function of natural areas at a landscape-level due to proximity to other natural areas, good restoration potential back to natural area, or they may represent the only large block of habitat in the area, or others. The names assigned to these MLCCS communities are standardized, descriptive in nature, and give an indication of the structure of an area, as well as the water regime. Some examples of common semi-natural MLCCS community type names included in this report are: . Altered/Nonnative Deciduous Forest MLCCS Code 32170 This upland deciduous forest is not dominated b)l oaks, aspens, balsam poplars, paper birches, yellow birches, sugar maples, or basswoods Boxelder, green ash, and cottonwood are typical canopy dominants, sometimes together and sometimes singly. Elms are common associates. Hackberries, aspens, oaks, and basswoods may also be present. The City of Elk River, MN - Natural Resouce Inventory Bonestroo Natural Resources, September 2004 37