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3. NATURAL C�MMUNITY TYPES OF THE <br />STUDY AREA <br />The following is a brief description of the major natural community types thaE are currently <br />found in, or wouid have hisiorically occurred in the parks invcntoried for this project. The <br />descriptions draw from fieId surveys in Roseville, the region, and from Minnesota's St. Croix <br />River Valley and Anoka Sandplain: A Guide to Native Hahitats (1995}. Foliowing the <br />descriptions, the sections discuss management recommendations for each of the comrr�unity <br />types. These recommendations have the potential to be used to enhance the natural comrnunity <br />arcas that remain in the five parks that are part of this project. <br />PRAIRIE AND SAVANNA COMMUNITIES <br />Sand-Gravel Prairies - These prairies were once cammon on sandy, well drained, glaciai and <br />periglacial soils in the arca of Roseville. These communities are open grasslands with patches of <br />forbs, and exposed soil that are often created by a cornbination of wind erosion, and animal <br />burrowing and digging activities. These communities are also strongly influenced by periodic <br />fires and drought and tend to favor plant species dependent on fire for regeneration and those <br />able to withstand droughty conditions. <br />Typzcal woody plants include smooth surnae, prairie rose, and leadplant. Characteristic <br />graminoids and forbs include haixy grama, side oats grama, prairie dropseed, and plains muhty <br />grass. Characteristic forbs include rough blazingstar, grey goldenrod, stiff goldenrod, dotted <br />blazingstar, hoary puccoon, butterfly znilkweed, and large-leafed pussy-toes. Rare plants found <br />on this type of prairie inclucle kitten-tails and Hill's thistle. <br />Common animal species include mourning dove, field sparrow, western meadowlark, pocket <br />gophers, red fox, American toad, and garter snakes. Threats include invasion by nonnative <br />grasses, such as Kentucky blucgrass and smooth brome, and invasion by woady plants. <br />Sand-Gravel Oak Savanna - These are relativcly open comm�nities of scattered, short, open- <br />grown bur and pin oaks abovc a layer of grasses �nd forbs. Trees rnay be wideiy scattered, and <br />City of Roseville 11 <br />Parkr Natural Resource Managenient <br />