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
