Oklahoma Biodiversity Plan

Ecoregions of Oklahoma

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Preface

Acknowledgments - ix
Executive Summary - xi
Biodiversity Council - xiii
Biodiversity Task Force - xv
- Biology Committee - xv
- Conservation and Recreation Committee - xv
- Education Committee - xv
- Forestry and Agriculture Committee - xvi
- Land Resources Committee - xvi
- Minerals Committee - xvi
- Water Resources Committee - xvii

Part I: Understanding Oklahoma’s Biodiversity

Chapter 1: What is Biodiversity? - 3
- Genetic Diversity - 5
- Species Diversity - 5
- Community Diversity - 6
- Unique Elements - 8
- Summary - 8
Chapter 2: Why is Biodiversity Important? - 9
- Values Independent of Economics - 9
  - Stewardship - 9
  - Natural Heritage - 10
- Values of Community Processes - 11
  - Water and Soil Conservation - 11
  - Waste Disposal - 11
  - Community Stability - 11
  - Recreation - 12
  - Education - 12
- Economic Values - 13
  - Ecotourism - 13
  - Locally Consumed Products - 13
  - Commercial Products - 14
  - Medical Values - 14
  - Agriculture - 15
  - Biological Controls - 15
  - Use of Native Plants - 15
  - Avoid Endangering Species - 16
- Future Value - 16
Chapter 3: Oklahoma’s Biodiversity - 17
- Community Diversity - 17
  - South Central Plains - 17
  - Ouachita Mountains - 21
  - Arkansas Valley - 22
  - Ozark Highlands - 23
  - Central Irregular Plains - 24
  - Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains - 25
  - Flint Hills - 27
  - Central Great Plains - 28
  - Southwestern Tablelands - 31
  - Western High Plains - 32
  - Black Mesa - 33
  - Big Rivers - 34
- Species Diversity - 35
  - Animals - 35
  - Fungi - 40
  - Plants - 41
- Genetic Diversity - 42
- Summary - 42
Chapter 4: Factors Influencing Oklahoma’s Biodiversity - 45
- Physical Factors - 45
  - Geographic Location - 45
  - Landscape Diversity - 45
  - Climate - 46
- Ecological Processes that Maintain Biodiversity - 46
  - Dispersal - 46
  - Isolation - 47
  - Local Adaptation - 47
  - Speciation - 48
  - Natural Disturbance and Succession - 48
  - Community or Species Restoration - 49
- Ecological Processes that Decrease Biodiversity - 49
  - Habitat Fragmentation - 50
  - Disruption of Natural Processes - 51
  - Reduction in Population Size - 52
  - Hybridization - 53
  - Species Eliminations - 53
  - Species Introductions - 54
- Myths or Misunderstanding - 55
- Rising Demands on Resources - 55
- Summary - 56

Part II: Recommendations for Conserving Biodiversity

Chapter 5: Biological Recommendations to Conserve Oklahoma’s Biodiversity - 59
- Societal or Economic Level - 59
  - Clean Air, Water and Soil Practices - 59
  - Environmental Education - 60
  - Local Government Conservation Efforts - 61
  - State and Federal Conservation Programs - 62
  - Conservation on Private Land - 62
- Sensitive Natural Areas - 64
- Public Lands - 65
- Biological Information Needs - 66
  - Assembling Existing Knowledge - 66
  - Identifying Knowledge Gaps - 67
- Scientific Oversight - 67
Chapter 6: Conservation and Recreation Activities Can Enhance Biodiversity Conservation - 69
- Ways Conservation and Recreation Groups Benefit Biodiversity Conservation - 70
  - Protection of Natural Areas - 70
  - Management and Stewardship Activities - 70
  - Research - 71
  - Education - 72
  - Political Action - 72
  - Individual Actions - 72
- Ways to Improve Biodiversity Conservation - 72
  - Regional Coordination - 72
  - Funding - 73
    - Inventory and Monitoring - 73
  - Management - 73
  - Incorporate Biodiversity Conservation with Recreational Activities - 74
  - Education - 74
  - Change in Public Perception - 75
  - Outreach - 77
  - Summary - 78
Chapter 7: Forestry and Agricultural Management Can Enhance Biodiversity - 79
- Practices that Benefit Biodiversity - 81
  - Land-Management Practices - 81
  - Government Services - 83
  - Education - 84
- Ways to Improve Biodiversity in Forestry and Agriculture - 85
  - Waste Disposal - 85
  - Exotic Species and Pest Control - 85
  - Alternative Crop Markets - 86
  - Conservation Practices - 87
- Policy Changes Needed to Encourage Biodiversity Management - 89
- Miscellaneous - 90
- Outreach - 90
Chapter 8: Heavily Used Areas Can Contribute to Biodiversity - 93
- Ways Heavily Used Areas Can Contribute to Biodiversity - 94
  - Planning - 94
  - Education or Recreation - 94
  - Management Practices - 95
- Ways Heavily Used Areas Can Enhance Biodiversity - 95
  - Landscaping for Biodiversity - 95
  - Reduce Mowing - 98
  - Minimize Chemical Usage - 99
    - Parks: More Than Swing sets and Ball fields - 99
  - Habitat Banking - 100
  - Control Exotic Species - 100
  - Minimize Illegal Dumping - 101
- Outreach - 101
- Summary - 102
Chapter 9: The Minerals Industry Can Enhance Biodiversity - 103
- The Minerals Industry Addresses Biodiversity - 105
  - Initial Planning - 105
  - Reclamation Planning - 105
  - Minimize Contact with Oil and Related Substances - 106
  - Support of Conservation Programs - 106
  - Ways the Minerals Industry Can Improve Biodiversity Management - 107
  - Incentives - 107
  - Regulatory Issues - 107
  - Physical Practices - 108
  - Planning - 108
  - Mitigation Banking - 109
  - Information and Education - 109
  - Miscellaneous - 110
- Outreach - 110
- Summary - 111
Chapter 10: Water Managers Can Enhance Biodiversity - 113
- Water Managers Benefit Biodiversity - 114
  - Water Quality - 115
  - Water Quantity - 116
  - Management of Wetlands and Fisheries - 116
- Ways Water Managers Can Enhance Biodiversity - 117
  - Water Quality - 117
  - Water Quantity - 118
  - Habitat - 119
  - Exotic Species - 119
  - Education - 120
Chapter 11: Distributing Biodiversity Information to the Public - 121
- Educational Actions - 121
  - Define and Describe Oklahoma’s Biodiversity - 121
  - Dispel Myths About Biodiversity - 122
  - Emphasize Proactive Benefits - 122
  - Explain How Biodiversity Benefits Individuals - 122
  - Explain the Biodiversity Project and Plan - 122
  - Develop Tools Targeting Specific Audiences - 122
- Prioritized Audiences - 123
  1. Residential - 123
  2. Agriculture - 123
  3. Business and Industry - 123
  4. Educators - 124
  5. Social Organizations - 124
  6. Public Land Managers - 124
  7. Mass Media - 124
  8. Elected Officials - 124
- Products and Outlets for Biodiversity Information - 125
  - In-house Communication - 125
  - Workshops or Conferences - 125
  - Audio Visuals - 125
  - Media Information - 125
  - Printed Materials - 125
  - Educational Centers - 126
  - Miscellaneous - 126
Quick Glance at Management Recommendations - 127
- Biological Recommendations - 127
- Recommendations for Conservation and Recreational Organizations - 127
- Recommendations for Forestry and Agricultural Management - 127
- Recommendations for Heavily Used Areas - 128
- Recommendations for the Minerals Industry - 128
- Recommendations for Water Managers - 129
- Recommendations for Educational Efforts - 129

Table of Contents

Ecoregions of Oklahoma

Preface

Part I: Understanding Oklahoma’s Biodiversity

Part II: Recommendations for Conserving Biodiversity