Natural Community Reconstruction

     Agriculture; fire suppression; species extirpations, introductions and population fluctuations; invasive species; hydrological alteration; forestry; development...  

     In the time since European settlement the region's natural communities have suffered substantial degradation.  The complex ecological system that developed over eons, our life support system, has been wantonly dismantled.  In many instances the components of the system have been eliminated; the form and function of the native natural community is beyond rehabilitation.

     In such a situation native species can be reintroduced to restore ecological function. Such reintroductions can be designed to closely replicate native natural communities or, when budget is a limiting factor, be designed to perform specific ecological functions.

     Driftless Land Stewardship LLC's top-of-the-line reconstructions are uniquely designed to re-create the structure, composition and richness of a pre-Eurosettlement natural community. Each mix uses only those species ecologically appropriate to the specific site, proportioned using scientifically-determined ratios derived from the most current plant community modeling research.

     Similarly, when budgets don't allow for replica-style seed mixes, DLS creates custom "native-dominated surrogate habitat" mixes to match the ecological specifics of the property and meet the project's goals, within whatever the available budget.

     Equally important as mix design to the final product, DLS tailors site prep, seeding and post-planting maintenance to each specific situation. From traditional methods to our continuing efforts to implement and develop innovative methods to improve outcomes and increase efficiency, DLS is highly experienced and able to negotiate the complexities of natural community reconstruction.