Newaygo Prairies
Location
Ecological and Physical Description
This RNA is comprised of three separate tracts, two areas known as the West Tract Prairie and one known as the Finger Prairie, which are remnants of the Marengo and Little Scherrar Prairies. This RNA represents undisturbed and recovering dry sand prairies and oak savannahs characterized by sparse woody vegetation such as pin oak (Quercus palustris), black oak (Quercus velutina), and eastern white pine (Pinus strobus). Two state threatened species, prairie smoke (Geum triflorum) and western silvery aster (Aster sericeus), and three state species of special concern, grooved yellow flax (Linum sulcatum), false arrow-feather (Aristida necopina), and Allegheny-plum (Prunus alleganiensis), are present within the RNA.
The mean annual precipitation is 32 inches (80 cm), 56% of which falls from May through October. Mean annual snowfall is 57 inches (145 cm).
Weather observations, dating from 1907, are available from Croton Dam and Hardy Dam. Croton Dam is located within 4 miles (6.4 km) of all three segments of the RNA. West Tract Prairie is 3 miles (4.8 km) to the northwest, and Finger Prairie is 4 miles (6.4 km) to the southwest. Hardy Dam is located 4 miles (6.4 km) upstream of Croton Dam.
A layer of glacial drift several hundred feet thick covers the bedrock on the prairie locations. The three RNA tracts are located exclusively on Sparta loamy sand. Adjacent forested land is growing on Plainfield sand.
Surface water is limited to a seepage wetland.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salix humulis | Upland willow | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Rubus flagellaris | northern dewberry | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Rosacarolina | pasture rose | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Prunus serotina | wild black cherry | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Prunus pumila | sand cherry | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | bearberry | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Schizachyrium scoparius | Little bluestem | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Andropogon gerardii | big bluestem | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Gramineae spp. | grasses | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Carex spp. | sedges | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Carex pensylvanica | sedge | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Ambrosia psilostachya | western ragweed | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Danthonia spicata | poverty-oats | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Aster azureus | aster | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Sorghastrum nutans | Indian grass | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Anemone cylindrica | thimbleweed | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Poa compressa | Canada bluegrass | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Stipa spartea | needle grass | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Poa pratensis | Kentucky-bluegrass | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Artemisia campestris | wormwood | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Blephilia ciliata | Common Herbaceous Species | |||
| Coreopsis lanceolata | longstalk-tickseed | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Heuchera richardsonii | prairie alum-root | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Opuntia compressa | eastern prickly pear | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Phlox pilosa | prairie phlox | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Penstemon hirsutus | northeastern beard-tongue | Common Herbaceous Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spermophilus tridecemlineatus | Ground squirrel | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Sciurus carolinensis | gray squirrel | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Peromyscus maniculatus | prairie deer mouse | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Odocoileus virginianus | white-tailed deer | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Sylvilagus floridanus | eastern cottontail rabbit | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Sialia sialis) | Eastern bluebird | Common Bird Species | ||
| Buteo jamaicensis | red-tailed hawk | Common Bird Species | ||
| Corvus brachyrhynchos | American crow | Common Bird Species | ||
| Falco sparverius | American kestrel | Common Bird Species |