NATIVE HABITAT MANAGEMENT
Restoring native ecosystems can enhance the land’s biodiversity, attract wildlife and create a more sustainable and resilient ecosystem. A management plan tailored to your property can help control invasive species, promote the growth of native plants and improve soil health, leading to a more vibrant and thriving landscape. Additionally, by restoring the land to its natural state, landowners can increase the aesthetic appeal and long-term value of their property while contributing to environmental conservation efforts. Read below to learn more about the various habitat types found in Missouri.
NATIVE HABITAT MANAGEMENT
Restoring native ecosystems can enhance the land’s biodiversity, attract wildlife and create a more sustainable and resilient ecosystem. A management plan tailored to your property can help control invasive species, promote the growth of native plants and improve soil health, leading to a more vibrant and thriving landscape. Additionally, by restoring the land to its natural state, landowners can increase the aesthetic appeal and long-term value of their property while contributing to environmental conservation efforts. Read below to learn more about the various habitat types found in Missouri.
Prairie Habitat
A prairie/savanna can contain hundreds of plant species that support a variety of wildlife. Prairies provide food and cover for wildlife and ecological benefits that are hard to beat. From building soil and reducing runoff to providing nesting and brood rearing habitat for quail, nectar for pollinators, seeds for songbirds, bedding for deer, brood rearing habitat for turkey and a beautiful evolving aesthetic, prairie does it all. Once covering a third or more of the landscape in Missouri, this habitat type has been reduced to scattered remnants. Plant a prairie, you’ll be glad you did!
Prairie Habitat
A prairie/savanna can contain hundreds of plant species that support a variety of wildlife. Prairies provide food and cover for wildlife and ecological benefits that are hard to beat. From building soil and reducing runoff to providing nesting and brood rearing habitat for quail, nectar for pollinators, seeds for songbirds, bedding for deer, brood rearing habitat for turkey and a beautiful evolving aesthetic, prairie does it all. Once covering a third or more of the landscape in Missouri, this habitat type has been reduced to scattered remnants. Plant a prairie, you’ll be glad you did!
Woodland Habitat
A managed open woodland allows enough sunlight to the ground that forbs (wild flowers) and grasses are able to thrive and produce seed. This diverse herbaceous layer at ground level supports an abundance of insects which provide food for other species that are higher up in the food chain. Trees in an open woodland have the potential to produce more hard and soft mast as there is less competition for resources compared to an overstocked forest/woodland. This additional mast provides more perennial food for game species such as deer, turkey and quail. Woodlands are also great nesting and brood rearing habitat for turkeys. A woodland provides a good combination of bare soil, woody structure and food that young and mature turkeys need. The loss of this type of cover is contributing to the recent decline in turkey numbers. Deer and quail will also readily utilize this type of habitat.
Woodland Habitat
A managed open woodland allows enough sunlight to the ground that forbs (wild flowers) and grasses are able to thrive and produce seed. This diverse herbaceous layer at ground level supports an abundance of insects which provide food for other species that are higher up in the food chain. Trees in an open woodland have the potential to produce more hard and soft mast as there is less competition for resources compared to an overstocked forest/woodland. This additional mast provides more perennial food for game species such as deer, turkey and quail. Woodlands are also great nesting and brood rearing habitat for turkeys. A woodland provides a good combination of bare soil, woody structure and food that young and mature turkeys need. The loss of this type of cover is contributing to the recent decline in turkey numbers. Deer and quail will also readily utilize this type of habitat.
Glade Habitat
Glades are host to plant and animal species that in some cases can only be found in these ecosystems. They can be easily overlooked as many Missouri glades are small pockets nestled on south or west facing slopes that have become overgrown with eastern red cedar due to the landscape not seeing prescribed fire for an extended time. Often, these small pockets can be restored by removing the cedars, possibly some other encroaching tree species, and by reintroducing fire onto the landscape at the proper time and intensity. By following proper restoration practices, many glade species may seemingly pop up out of nowhere following thinning and a few burns. Often times these species are present in low numbers under and around the cedars that are shading them out making them difficult to spot prior to restoration.
Glade Habitat
Glades are host to plant and animal species that in some cases can only be found in these ecosystems. They can be easily overlooked as many Missouri glades are small pockets nestled on south or west facing slopes that have become overgrown with eastern red cedar due to the landscape not seeing prescribed fire for an extended time. Often, these small pockets can be restored by removing the cedars, possibly some other encroaching tree species, and by reintroducing fire onto the landscape at the proper time and intensity. By following proper restoration practices, many glade species may seemingly pop up out of nowhere following thinning and a few burns. Often times these species are present in low numbers under and around the cedars that are shading them out making them difficult to spot prior to restoration.
Wetland Habitat
Wetlands are an important habitat type for many plants and animals. For example, migrating birds rely on wetlands as they can offer a high quality food source and roosting areas for these birds. Restoration of these areas is especially important as the United States has seen an alarming drop in bird populations in the past several decades. Wetlands also play a crucial role in reducing erosion, improving water quality and providing flood mitigation.
Wetland Habitat
Wetlands are an important habitat type for many plants and animals. For example, migrating birds rely on wetlands as they can offer a high quality food source and roosting areas for these birds. Restoration of these areas is especially important as the United States has seen an alarming drop in bird populations in the past several decades. Wetlands also play a crucial role in reducing erosion, improving water quality and providing flood mitigation.
Fen Habitat
Ozark fens are a type of wetland whose water supply comes from ground water rather than from storm water runoff or being fed by a creek. While fens are small in size they are big in diversity and ecological importance. The endangered Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly can be found on a select few Missouri fens as can many fen obligate plants. If you have a small area in your pasture next to a creek that is consistently wet then you may have a fen. These often overlooked habitats are crucial to restore and deserve our time and attention. In addition to being ecologically important they can be especially beautiful in the fall.
Fen Habitat
Ozark fens are a type of wetland whose water supply comes from ground water rather than from storm water runoff or being fed by a creek. While fens are small in size they are big in diversity and ecological importance. The endangered Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly can be found on a select few Missouri fens as can many fen obligate plants. If you have a small area in your pasture next to a creek that is consistently wet then you may have a fen. These often overlooked habitats are crucial to restore and deserve our time and attention. In addition to being ecologically important they can be especially beautiful in the fall.
Forest Habitat
A healthy forest located on the proper ecological site will support overstory, mid and understory trees as well as a more shade tolerant herbaceous layer consisting of many spring ephemerals. Properly managed forests can see an increase in timber production while also fostering quality habitat for wildlife. Dogwoods, redbuds and serviceberries are just a few of the more common understory trees that add to the beauty of the forest during spring green up.
Forest Habitat
A healthy forest located on the proper ecological site will support overstory, mid and understory trees as well as a more shade tolerant herbaceous layer consisting of many spring ephemerals. Properly managed forests can see an increase in timber production while also fostering quality habitat for wildlife. Dogwoods, redbuds and serviceberries are just a few of the more common understory trees that add to the beauty of the forest during spring green up.
Temporary Forest Opening/Bedding thickets
Temporary forest openings and bedding thickets are similar to micro clear cuts inside a wooded area. After cutting and burning, these areas are left to grow up in early successional growth (woody sprouts, forbs and grasses) for a few years before being set back with fire. This removes the thatch layer allowing more seeds to germinate while also top killing the woody re-sprouts which prevents the canopy from closing back up. These areas can be used by deer for bedding and browse, turkey (for nesting) and some songbirds that gravitate towards forest edges. You can increase the quality of your hunts by making sure your farm provides the cover that deer use most during daylight. There are some minor but important differences between your typical temporary forest opening and bedding thicket, contact us to learn more!
Temporary Forest Opening/Bedding thickets
Temporary forest openings and bedding thickets are similar to micro clear cuts inside a wooded area. After cutting and burning, these areas are left to grow up in early successional growth (woody sprouts, forbs and grasses) for a few years before being set back with fire. This removes the thatch layer allowing more seeds to germinate while also top killing the woody re-sprouts which prevents the canopy from closing back up. These areas can be used by deer for bedding and browse, turkey (for nesting) and some songbirds that gravitate towards forest edges. You can increase the quality of your hunts by making sure your farm provides the cover that deer use most during daylight. There are some minor but important differences between your typical temporary forest opening and bedding thicket, contact us to learn more!
Food Plots
While being overshadowed by quality habitat which can provide everything a deer or turkey needs, a food plot can be a helpful tool in your hunting toolbox. Food plots can provide a destination food source giving you a place to hunt near and also helping you hone in on the direction of movement your deer herd will take. When combined with strategically placed bedding thickets and quality native habitat, this can be a game changer for the quality of hunts you have and deer that your property can hold.
Food Plots
While being overshadowed by quality habitat which can provide everything a deer or turkey needs, a food plot can be a helpful tool in your hunting toolbox. Food plots can provide a destination food source giving you a place to hunt near and also helping you hone in on the direction of movement your deer herd will take. When combined with strategically placed bedding thickets and quality native habitat, this can be a game changer for the quality of hunts you have and deer that your property can hold.