Mississippi WatershedForests are an integral part of our ecosystem.  They provide habitat, shade, clean air, and hold the soil together.  The status of our forests was evaluated based on the total forest cover and the total forest interior.

• Forest cover is simply the total area of the watershed region covered by trees.
• Forest interior refers to forested areas that are 100 meters from the forest edge, roads or permanent openings.

Certain species, especially birds, depend on this undisturbed land for shelter from the effects of wind and sun.

Interior forests are typically more humid, they have less light and fewer invasive special and predators.  Due to the increasing fragmentation of woodlots, forest interior is becoming increasingly rare, making it a key habitat type for preservation efforts.

What does this mean?

Approximately 62% of the watershed region is covered by forest and 52% of that is classified as forest interior.

Two trends can be observed in the graphic representation of our forests.  The most obvious is that the north eastern section is sparsely forested in comparison to the rest of the watershed.  This is attributed to larger rural and urban areas.  The second major trend can be seen in the southern edge, highlighted by numerous small clearings, which create an increase in edge forest conditions and a reduction in the size and abundance of forest interior.

Forest Management in the Watershed

Through the Lanark County Forest Management partnership, Mississippi Valley Conservation (MVC) and Lanark county are working together to manage the Lanark County Community Forests. Through the
proper management of the Lanark County Community Forests, the County and MVC can ensure these properties remain healthy and viable for generations to come.

An effective way to manage forest resource is through timber harvesting. Harvesting can result in more diverse, beautiful and resilient forests. A good timber harvest begins with an overall forest management plan and involves qualified professionals.

Click here to learn more about Forest Management in the Mississippi Watershed

Adapted from MVC: Mississippi River Water Management Plan Final Report