WILSON SPRINGS BIOLOGICAL ISSUES Biologically speaking, the 289 acres at Wilson Springs were originally Tallgrass Prairie with distinctive upland and wetland characteristics. Relatively dry terrestrial habitat occupies a small portion of the southern uplands along Moore Lane, with elevations similar to those along the I-540 bypass. Most of the remainder of the apparently terrestrial habitat is a seasonal wetland (or wet-mesic prairie) at the lower elevations associated with Clabber Creek and its tributaries. This seasonal wetland has been converted to a fescue monoculture, but it retains numerous ecological indicators different than those of typical upland terrestrial habitats. WETLANDS Perennial wetlands are associated with Wilson Springs, Clabber Creek, and its tributaries. Wilson Springs supports a population of the rare Arkansas Darter (Etheostoma cragini). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reported that this darter is in jeopardy across its range due to decline in groundwater that replenishes spring-fed habitats. In October 1999 it was designated a candidate species for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Seasonal wetlands are associated with grassy fields that are wet during part of the year. Perennial wetlands have certain legal protections, but seasonal wetlands have little or none; they constitute the single most endangered habitat type in northwest Arkansas. Both wetland types are associated with Tallgrass Prairie habitat that was once widespread in northwest Arkansas. The grasslands at Wilson Springs were part of the region's original prairies. These fields are marked by low "prairie mounds." These grasslands are deceptively dry during low rainfall periods. However, the water table in the area is high; it takes only modest amounts of rainfall to nurture shallow, seasonally wet habitat (with its associated plants and animals). Seasonal wetlands form on clay-rich soils in the saucer-like depressions between these roughly conical mounds. These mounds have been greatly reduced through years of plowing, but are still visible in the fields and in aerial photographs. Biologically-speaking, the seasonal wetlands can be delineated in a number of ways. The following conditions have been documented in the old prairie grasslands at Wilson Springs: Numerous, widespread mud chimneys of the endemic Ozark Burrowing Crayfish (Procambarus liberorum) that withstands dry periods by burrowing into the water table just below the surface. Hydrophilic plants like Prairie Cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) are present, though much reduced because of aggressive drainage and conversion to non-native fescue grasses. Also present are shrubs like Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and Swamp Dogwood (Cornus obliqua). Stands of various aquatic and semi-aquatic plants are common, especially sedges like Yellow Nut Grass (Cyperus esculentus) that require water and dryness during part of their annual life cycle. Damp prairie species like Sawtooth Sunflower (Helianthus grosseserratus) are present and form extensive stands. Marshland birds--such as the small rail, Sora (Porzana carolina) and larger species like American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus)-are present during migration and are included among more than 125 bird species documented by volunteers. In summary, there is a strong positive correlation between biodiversity and presence of water. Wilson Springs supports a high biodiversity as a result of the high water table and presence of water on the surface much of the year. Wilson Springs also provides economically valuable ecological services by acting like a natural detention area to slow the return of rainwater from the adjoining impervious surfaces such as businesses along I-540, plus I-540 itself and associated roads. Both wetland types also serve as purifiers of storm water runoff coming from these impervious surfaces. Fayetteville is under mandate of the EPA Phase II storm water regulations that require the City to undertake positive actions to improve water quality by addressing the fate of storm water. Preserving the critical ecological values of both types of wetlands at Wilson Springs could allow the City to obtain credit for taking positive actions to preserve both seasonal and perennial wetlands-essentially, all of the lowlands within the 289 acres. PRISTINE ISSUE Critics of preservation efforts have stated that Wilson Springs isn't pristine; that is, it has little in common with places like the Buffalo National River that have been little altered from the natural state. However, no one favoring preservation has made the claim that Wilson Springs is pristine. Support for preservation rests on unique biological assets that have survived even after fundamental land use changes including long term farming, ditching Clabber Creek, and converting native grasslands to fescue. Key botanical elements of the original Tallgrass Prairie ecosystem, such as Big Bluestem Grass (Andropogon Gerardi), Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans), and June Grass (Koeleria cristata) could form a core for a future habitat restoration. Grassland bird species that are declining range-wide in North America occur within the 289 acres. Notable among them is the rare Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) whose only known Arkansas nesting site is in these seasonally wet fields. The 289 acres aren't pristine, but they are diverse. The area isn't pristine in terms of noise levels, either because of its location along I-540. There is a lot of traffic noise at times, but at other times the noise level is no worse than it is in much of Fayetteville along I-540, College Avenue, Crossover/265, etc. The noise and lack of being pristine has not deterred joggers, walkers, golfers (on adjoining Razorback Country Club), and birders. Nor has it discouraged occupation of private homes, churches, and small businesses along Dean Solomon Road. It hasn't deterred Audubon Arkansas from offering to join Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and establish a nature center on the site. WHAT'S AT STAKE, BIOLOGICALLY-SPEAKING As far as we know, the seasonal wetlands and associated grasslands at Wilson Springs constitute the single largest remaining block of such habitat in the region that is under public ownership, and can therefore be managed for public (as opposed to private) purposes. (The approximately 300 acres acquired by Fayetteville for its proposed west wastewater treatment plant also features prairie mounds and seasonally wet habitat. It may therefore provide a second opportunity to protect this habitat type.) While the number of acres is still relatively small, its situation adjacent the University of Arkansas and within a community of citizens with a more than average interest in biology and ecology provides an opportunity to study, preserve, restore, and last but not least, educate students and private citizens about a biologically important heritage that deserves our support and protection. Prepared by biologists Joseph C. Neal and Andrea Radwell - September 8, 2002 Back  |  Home