Anoka Ecosystems:
Lowland Hardwood Forest
Lowland hardwood forests are present just above active floodplains or wetland basins. This forest occurs in wet mineral soils where the water table seasonally rises to the trees' roots. Lowland hardwood forests continually change over time, as a result of neighboring forest types, water levels and flooding patterns, which affect soil type, soil saturation, and species composition. Complete stands may be killed by extended periods of flooding. Also, due to the high water table, root systems are often shallow and provide little support during windstorms, making the stands vulnerable and thus causing large gaps in the canopy.
Tree species composition varies widely based on the period of time the soil is wet, as well as neighboring forest communities, and topography of the area. Common canopy species include black ashes, American elms, basswoods, hackberries, green ashes, quaking aspens, yellow birches, paper birches and slippery elms. The shrub layer is variable and can be a mix of upland and wetland species.
Sources:
"Minnesota's Native Vegetation: A Key to Natural Communities"
Version 1.5 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage
Program, 1993.
Wovcha, D, Delaney, B, Nordquist, G. Minnesota's St. Croix River Valley and Anoka Sandplain: A Guide to Native Habitats Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, 1995.
