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At the time of settlement, around 1840 -50, the landscape of Roseville supported a rich variety of <br />plant communities including various types of wetlands in low areas, lakes, and oak woodlands, <br />brushlands and prairies on drier uplands. <br />As the City developed after the mid- 1800s, more intense human activities began to change the <br />landscape and natural communities. In Ramsey County today, nearly all of the native natural <br />communities have been substantially impacted by human activities. Some of the activities that <br />have significantly impacted natural communities include the following: <br />• Roads and railroads began to fragment prairies, savannas, and other communities in <br />the mid- to late 1800's. <br />• Agriculture affected hydrology through draining wetlands and altering streams. <br />Farmers altered upland vegetation communities through clearing, plowing, <br />suppression of regular fires, and overgrazing. These effects are evident in the <br />reduction of native vegetation diversity in prairie and savanna areas. Plantings of low <br />diversity and non - native species, such as smooth brome were carried out to replace <br />prairie. Soil erosion by wind and water increased where native cover was removed <br />and runoff increased, adding sediments to wetlands, and eventually the Mississippi <br />River. <br />• Urbanization fragmented natural communities further with the addition of more <br />roads, streets and utilities. Construction typically compacts soils, and changes the <br />local hydrology. Large areas of impervious surface and drainage of wetlands <br />increases the amount of stormwater runoff and pollutants carried to local water <br />bodies. <br />• Non - native, aggressive species like honeysuckle, buckthorn, burning bush, caragana, <br />barberry and many others have been added as landscape materials. Changes in <br />habitat and the increasing presence of humans in the landscape have brought changes <br />in animal populations, decreasing or eliminating some species such as meadowlarks <br />and elk, and enabling others such as English sparrows, European starlings, and white- <br />tail deer. <br />City of Roseville 11 <br />Parks Natural Resource Management <br />