North Central Forest Landscape

Map showing the North Central Forest Ecological Landscape

General Description

The North Central Forest Ecological Landscape occupies much of the northern third of Wisconsin. Its landforms are characterized by end and ground moraines with some pitted outwash and bedrock controlled areas. Kettle depressions and steep ridges are found in the northern portion. Two prominent areas in this Ecological Landscape are the Penokee-Gogebic Iron Range in the north extending into Michigan, and Timm's Hill, the highest point in Wisconsin (1,951 feet) in the south. Soils consist of sandy loam, sand, and silts. The vegetation is mainly forest, with many wetlands and some agriculture, though the growing season is not as favorable as it is in southern Wisconsin. Lake Superior greatly influences the northern portion of the Ecological Landscape especially during the winter season, producing greater snowfall than in most areas in Wisconsin.

Vegetation

The historic vegetation was primarily hemlock-hardwood forest dominated by hemlock, sugar maple, and yellow birch. There were some smaller areas of white and red pine forest scattered throughout the Ecological Landscape, and individual white pines trees were a component of the hemlock-hardwood forest. Harvesting hemlock to support the tanneries was common at the turn of the century, and the species soon became a minor component of forests due to over-harvesting and lack of regeneration. Currently, forests cover approximately 80% of this Ecological Landscape. The northern hardwood forest is dominant, made up of sugar maple, basswood, and red maple, and also including some scattered hemlock and white pine pockets within stands. The aspen-birch forest type group is also relatively abundant, followed by spruce-fir. A variety of wetland community types also are present, both forested and non-forested.

Hydrologic Features

Many small drainages and lakes are found throughout this Ecological Landscape. Major rivers include the Chippewa, Flambeau, Wisconsin, Jump, Wolf, Pine, Popple, and Peshtigo. Several man-made flowages exist such as the Turtle-Flambeau, Gile, Pine and Mondeaux. Although the Ecological Landscape has one of the most favorable ratings by Wisconsin DNR for overall watershed quality, many lakes have mercury levels high enough to warrant a consumption advisory.

Land Use

The North Central Forest Ecological Landscape contains 6.1 million acres of total land area and has the highest percentage of land area in timberland (77%) compared to other Ecological Landscapes. A high percentage (44%) is publicly owned, mostly in federal or county management

Socioeconomics

Socioeconomic data are summarized based on county-level approximations of the Ecological Landscape (referred to as a "region"). Economic data are available only on a political unit basis with counties as the smallest unit. The counties included in this socioeconomic region are Ashland, Bayfield, Chippewa, Florence, Forest, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Washburn ("North Central Forest Region"). Agriculture is not a major contributor to the economy of the North Central Forest Region. In general, this region has a fairly low per capita income and average wage, as well as the third highest unemployment rate of all the regions. It has a substantial acreage in water, especially lakes, and a large number of fishery and wildlife areas. Compared to the other regions of the state, the population of the North Central Forest Region is growing rapidly and, on average, is much older, less racially diverse, and less educated. The population density (21 persons/sq. mile) is slightly less than one-fourth that of the state as a whole (96 persons/sq. mile). Interestingly, it had the fourth fastest-growing population from 1970-2000 with a high percentage of elderly (over 65) and a high median age. This region has the lowest percentage of minorities, with the exception of Native Americans. The percentage of high school and college graduates is below average. Economically, this region is less prosperous than other regions. It has the fourth lowest per capita income and average wage and the third highest rates of unemployment and child and adult poverty. Manufacturing jobs are quite important whereas service jobs are much less important than in other regions

For any questions regarding the maps presented on this site or the "DNR Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin" handbook, please contact Jeff Schimpff at Jeff.Schimpff@wisconsin.gov. Suggested Citation for Handbook: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. In Prep. DRAFT Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin. State of Wisconsin, Dept. of Nat. Resources, Handbook. 1805.1. Madison, WI.

Last Revised: Thursday February 08 2006