Bear Creek
Location
Potential Research Topics
The large size of this site and intact gradient through various plant communities make it ideal for research in many aspects of forest ecology. In light of global climate change, its position on the edge of the climatic Tension Zone in Wisconsin makes it a valuable location to study forest adaptation to temperature and moisture changes. The presence of large, old trees allows for study of historical climate patterns on forest growth.
A small geologic ice-walled lake plain feature (an area of recessional moraine with an unusually rich species composition) with intact forest cover is a unique element for study as most of these elsewhere have been converted to agriculture.
Ecological and Physical Description
Bear Creek contains a mosaic of high-quality community types plus a remnant old-growth white pine (Pinus strobus) forest. The site contains some of the oldest eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)-hardwood stands remaining on the Medford-Park Falls District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Also significant is a two-mile (3 km) stretch of Bear Creek and associated high quality wetlands, contained within the RNA. Floral diversity is high and includes several uncommon orchid species. Red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus), a state-threatened species, have been seen within Bear Creek RNA and have been known to nest in the surrounding area.
Annual precipitation averages 33 inches (84 cm), 71% of which falls between April and September. Average seasonal snowfall is 56.9 inches (144 cm).
Jump River 1 ESE (station no. 474080) is about 4 mi (6.4 km) north of the RNA.
The ice-walled lake plain glacial feature found on the eastern side of the RNA was formed as the glacier retreated. A wall of stagnant ice trapped the outwash sediments, creating a plateau of debris that was later covered with fine wind-borne loess deposits. Carbonates make up the bedrock of this LTA, which is between 100 feet and 50 feet of the land surface. Geomorphologic processes are till and glacial meltwater deposition. Land surface is till plain with outwash terraces.
The soils of Bear Creek RNA fall into the Freer-Almena-Auburndale Series. They are generally moderately well to poorly drained loamy and silty soils with a silt loam surface over non-calcareous sandy loam dense till. Very poorly drained nonacid organic soils are also present. Nutrient status is medium to rich.
Located within the Yellow River watershed, Bear Creek is a warm-water stream that flows south into the Chequamegon Waters Impoundment. This creek is shallow and slow-moving with water slightly stained with tannic acid from the swamp origins. Spring rains swell the creek in April and May but in late August, it can be nearly dry in some places making it essentially non-navigable.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alnus incana | speckled alder | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Spirea tomentosa | meadowsweet | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Vaccinium myrtilloides | velvet-leaf blueberry | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Lonicera canadensis | American fly honeysuckle | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Rhamnus alnifolia | alderleaf buckthorn | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Spiraea alba | steeplebush | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Hydrophyllum virginiana | Virginia waterleaf | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Sanguinaria canadensis | bloodroot | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Dentaria laciniata | cut-leaved toothwort | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Symplocarpus foetidus | skunk cabbage | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Laportea canadensis | wood nettle | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Toxicodendron radicans | poison ivy | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Phlox divaricarta) | woodland phlox | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Calamagrostis canadensis | bluejoint grass | Common Herbaceous Species | dominated wet meadow borders the creek |
|
| Potamogeton alpinus | alpine pondweed | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Dryopteris intermedia | intermediate wood fern | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Aralia nudicaulis | wild sarsaparilla | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Clintonia borealis | yellow blue-bead lily | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| American starflower | American starflower | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens | Large flowered yellow lady’s-slipper | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Platanthera psycodes | Lesser purple-fringed orchid | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Panax quinquefolius | American ginseng | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Phlox divaricata | Wild blue phlox | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Botrychium lanceolatum | Lance-leaved grape fern | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Deparia acrostichoides | Silvery spleenwort | Common Herbaceous Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corvus corax | pileated woodpeckers | Common Fauna | ||
| Glaucomys sabrinus | northern flying squirrels | Common Fauna | ||
| Odocoileus virginianus | White-tailed deer | Common Fauna | exist here in high numbers as evidenced by the extensive browse on trees and shrubs |
|
| Buteo lineatus | Odocoileus virginianus) | Common Fauna | The state-threatened red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) has also been seen and heard calling within the area |