Sites of Biodiversity Significance in the Glacial Lakes and
Moraines Landscape of Minnesota as Determined by
the Minnesota County Biological Survey 2002

Recognizing the need to assess the status of the state's biological diversity and its rare natural resources, the Minnesota County Biological Survey (MCBS) began in 1987. It is a systematic survey of Minnesota's rare biological features. MCBS identifies significant natural areas and collects and interprets data on the distribution and ecology of native plant communities, rare plants, and rare animals. The information gathered by MCBS serves as a foundation for the conservation of critical components of Minnesota's biological diversity.

MCBS staff conducted fieldwork in the west-central part of the state, in the Glacial Lakes and Moraines landscape, from 1997 to 2002. Located on the prairie/forest border, this important area retains large areas of unplowed prairie and a high diversity of native plants and animals. As a result, there are opportunities to protect significant sites of relatively undisturbed land and many opportunities to add to the already protected land in the area.

The goal of the fieldwork was to provide specific information that would aid and direct conservation efforts in the area. This map displays the relative value of each survey site in terms of biodiversity significance ranking. This rank was assigned at the completion of the survey by biologists who considered landscape context and function and the size, condition, and quality of the native plant communities and rare species populations in each site. Using these maps, conservation groups are able to prioritize their efforts to protect the most significant natural areas.