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North Woods, Great Lakes Linnaeus List: Characteristic plants, animals and geologic features of Minnesota's coniferous forests

Meyer, Nathan J; Blair, Robert B., Oberhauser, Karen S.; Rager, Amy R. B.; Lorek Strauss, Andrea

Copyright © 2010 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

This is a Web Sampler. Information about the complete publication and how to order it is available here.

This booklet introduces important species and other features found in the forests and large lakes that make up Minnesota's North Woods, Great Lakes region. Although there are hundreds of plant and animal species living in or near these forests and lakes, we chose approximately 10 of the most important representatives in several categories to provide a 'big picture' view of these ecosystems. This booklet is one of a three-part series. You can find two more guides for characteristic plants, animals, and geologic features of western Minnesota's prairie grasslands, and the temperate, deciduous forests of southeastern and central Minnesota.

Learning to identify and interpret the seasonal changes, animal tracks, geologic formations, and weather patterns of a biome is an essential part of becoming a naturalist. Knowing plants and animals by name will help you experience an ecosystem more intimately and enable you to recognize which species characterize an ecosystem and warrant protection, and which don't. Watch for the x symbol throughout this book. When you see it, you'll know that species is considered non-native to the North Woods, Great Lakes region.

Some people keep track of the species they've seen. In fact, many birders maintain a 'Life List' noting the date and location of the first time they witnessed a species. Using the checklist at the back of this booklet, you can note the North Woods, Great Lakes species you see. Many parks and refuges also provide comprehensive lists of the plants or animals that inhabit the area.