An Unusual Oak Savanna in Northeastern Wisconsin: The Effect of Indian-Caused Fire

-Evaluation of the impact of native Americans on vegetation has largely relied on historical accounts of fire use. Remnant vegetation communities may also provide evidence. A large (49 kM2), disjunct oak savanna in northeastern Wisconsin was recorded by the original public land survey in 1834. Surrounding vegetation was mixed conifer-hardwood forest typical of northern Wisconsin. The oak savanna was not associated with unusual soil, topographic or climatic conditions of the area but instead was associated with Potawatomi and Winnebago Indian agricultural villages. A remnant woodlot (89 ha) is still dominated by Quercus alba but the canopy has closed and the stand has apparently been invaded by Carya ovata. This pre-European settlement oak savanna is strong evidence that native Americans influenced vegetation through fire in this region.