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<br />Grassland with sparse deciduous trees - nonnative dominated <br />MLCCS Codes 62140, <br />These areas typically occur as former oak savannas where the ground cover <br />was planted to nonnative pasture grasses, or more commonly abandoned <br />agricultural fields planted to perennial nonnative grasses and later colonized <br />by pioneer tree species. This upland vegetation has 10-70% cover by trees <br />(of which <25% is conifer), where >30% of non-tree cover is herbaceous <br />and dominated by non-native species. The ground layer is often dominated <br />by brome or Kentucky bluegrass. Common shrubs include sumac and <br />Tartarian honeysuckle. Almost any tree species can be found here, but <br />elms, cottonwoods, green ashes, boxelders, and bur oaks are common. <br /> <br />It is important to note that while these plant assemblages do not meet the criteria <br />developed by the MN DNR Natural Heritage Program as remnant natural communities, <br />they can still provide important habitat for wildlife. They can also be important in the <br />landscape, providing buffers from developed and intensively farmed areas. In some <br />cases, such as "Grassland with sparse deciduous trees" areas, there may be <br />opportunity to easily restore a natural community such as Mesic Oak Savanna that is <br />exceptionally rare in the Upper Midwest. <br /> <br />City of Elk River, MN - Natural Resouce Inventory <br />Bonestroo Natural Resources, September 2004 <br /> <br />39 <br />