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42°41′00″N91°07′30″W / 42.68333°N 91.12500°W /42.68333; -91.12500
| Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
 Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge units | |
 Interactive map of Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge | |
| Location | United States |
| Nearest city | Dubuque, Iowa |
| Area | 811.99 acres (328.60 ha) |
| Established | 1989 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge |
Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge is aUnited StatesNational Wildlife Refuge in northeasternIowa. It is a collection of non-contiguous parcels in the vicinity of theUpper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
The refuge was established in 1989 to help the recovery of two federally listed species: theendangeredIowa Pleistocene Snail andthreatened plantNorthern Wild Monkshood. Although the refuge was established to protect the snail and flower, an entire rare community of plants and animals is preserved on these sites. TheU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the refuge as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system. Currently, the refuge consists of nine sites totaling 811.99acres (328.60 ha)[1] in four counties of Iowa only.[2] In descending order of land area they areClayton,Dubuque,Jackson, andAllamakee counties.
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Portions ofIowa,Wisconsin,Minnesota andIllinois contain unusual geology. Thekarst region, referred to as the "Driftless Area", escaped the last glaciers leaving thePaleozoic-age bedrock subject to erosion. In addition to the curious topography of steep slopes and cliffs, there are unique habitats. Certain slopes, usually north facing, are covered with a talus layer that allows ice-cooled air to exit from underground cracks and fissures. Upland sinkholes contribute to the air flow regime and are an important component of a unique system called analgific talus slopes, meaning a cold producing rocky slope. Even on a midsummer day when the outside air temperature is 90 °F (32 °C), ground temperatures on these slopes range from 42 °F (6 °C) to about 55 °F (13 °C). Although the slopes will freeze in winter, the temperatures are moderated. These slopes remain cool throughout the year and are home to rare species of plants and animals.
In the summer, air is drawn down throughsinkholes, flows over very cold groundwater and is released out vents on the slopes. Summer temperatures on the slopes range from 42 °F (6 °C) to 55 °F (13 °C). In winter, the air is drawn into the vents, and the groundwater again freezes. Because of the cool temperatures and moist conditions, unusual plants for this part of the country grow on the slopes. Typically growing in a colder more northern climate,yews,balsam fir,Showy lady's slipper andgolden saxifrage can be found on the cool slopes. These cold microclimates of the slopes allow the rare plants and animals to survive.
A tiny land snail, the Iowa Pleistocene snail, is smaller than a shirt button, at about 5 millimeters (1/4 inch) in diameter. Considered a glacial relict species, it has survived only on these small areas where temperature, moisture and food are suitable. The snail was known only from fossil records and thought to be extinct until 1955, when a scientist discovered it alive in leaf litter in northeast Iowa, eating birch and maple leaves. Because of the fragile nature of the habitat and the small size of the total population, this snail was placed on the federal endangered species list. The primary recovery option for the tiny snail is permanent protection of remaining colonies. Thirty-six known colonies are currently in northeast Iowa with one population occurring innorthwest Illinois.[3]
The threatened Northern Wild Monkshood, belonging to thebuttercup family, grows on 114algific talus slopes and similar cool moist habitats in Iowa, Wisconsin,Ohio andNew York. The majority of the sites are in Iowa. The purple hood-shaped flower, an adaptation for bumble bee pollination, was listed as threatened in 1978. Its options for recovery are similar to the snail.
There are over 300 algific talus slopes but some are in poor condition. Anything disrupting the air flow through sinkholes and out the vents can affect the habitat. In the past, the impacts of logging, grazing, road building, quarries, agricultural runoff, and sinkhole filling reduced the number of algific talus slopes. Today, these habitats are still threatened by logging, grazing, agricultural runoff, and sinkhole filling activities and invasive species likegarlic mustard.
The 812-acre (3.29 km2) refuge currently consists of scattered tracts in northeast Iowa ranging from a few acres to a few hundred acres. Land acquisition from willing sellers is ongoing. Restoration of forest or prairie habitat is conducted on the land surrounding algific talus slopes and provides habitat for a variety of wildlife includingwhite-tailed deer,wild turkeys,bald eagles,American woodcock,woodpeckers and a variety ofsongbirds. States, counties, and private organizations likeThe Nature Conservancy also help protect algific talus slopes. Private landowners are perhaps the most significant stewards of remaining algific talus slopes. The Fish and Wildlife Service contacts land owners whose properties have these habitats and offers assistance in managing them.
The Refuge is managed fromMcGregor, Iowa, where tours can be arranged. Fishing andWhite-tailed deer hunting are permitted in a small number of units.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)* Retrieved on July 20, 2007| Federal |
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