Oklahoma's Biodiversity Plan:
A Shared Vision for Conserving Our Natural Heritage
Table of Contents
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Preface................................................................................................................................................. viii
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........................................................................................ 1
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
Indicators of Environmental Health..................................................................... 13
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............................................................................ 57
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