Kleinstuck Preserve

Ecology

Over the decades WMU has maintained the property as a safe and accessible preserve, but has not had the resources to manage for a healthy ecosystem. The property suffers from the invasion of non-native plant species, as well as erosion in the marsh area. In spite of this, Kleinstuck Preserve still supports a diverse set of flora and fauna. Currently, WMU, in cooperation with neighborhood groups, is working to improve the ecological health of the property.

The property includes the following habitat types:

Upland Forest - A healthy upland forest type should be made up of three diverse levels.The canopy should contain predominately oaks and hickories in the higher ground and transition to maples and willows lower. Additional trees such as black cherry, basswood, and hackberry will supplement the diversity. The second story will have clusters of native shrubs and small trees such as witch hazel, hazelnut, and maple leaf viburnum. The forest floor will have native sedges, grasses, and rushes with numerous wildflowers.

Marsh - The marsh includes three types of vegetation; emergent, submergent and floating. A healthy marsh habitat should be dominated by cattail, spatterdock, and other wetland vegetation with occasional islands of shrubs such as buttonbush and dogwood.

Swamp Forest - This lowland forest should have a canopy cover of 75-100%. The main canopy trees should be maples and willows with a mixture of other species. The second story should be patches of shrubs such as dogwood, elderberry and willow. The floor of the forest should contain some sedges and grasses with occasional wildflowers such as marsh marigold, cardinal flower, and skunk cabbage.

Shrub Carr - This is the habitat between the swamp forest and the marsh. This area should include native vegetation such as dogwood, willow and elderberry and can offer good food and cover for wildlife.

Ecological Management

Volunteer Help:
The Stewards of Kleinstuck (SoK) is a volunteer group formed in the fall of 2007 by Liga Dindonis, a neighbor to the Kleinstuck Preserve. Their goal is to involve the community in improving the health of the habitat at Kleinstuck. WMU has helped facilitate this group and has offered support in their activities.This group has organized educational field trips through the preserve as well as volunteer activities to improve the property. For schedules and details visit: www.stewardsofkleinstuck.org


Nate Fuller of SWMLC and Paul MacNellis of WMU briefing volunteers before an SoK workday at Kleinstuck	Volunteer briefing at Kazoo School before an SoK workday at Kleinstuck Preserve for Earth Day	A volunteer planting a native shrub at Kleinstuck during an SoK workday	A pole picture taken by Jim Ratliff. Volunteers clearing invasive bittersweet during a winter SoK workday at Kleinstuck

Professional Guidance

Nate Fuller, a neighbor to the preserve and the Conservation and Stewardship Director at the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy has written a management plan for the property. Nate has extensive experience in this field and has volunteered his support to this project. The management plan divides the preserve into management areas based on the land type. Each area includes a description of the vegetation, objectives to improve the ecological health of the area, and a priority ranking for determining the healthiest sites.

Management Plan

The Kleinstuck Preserve Management Plan, written by Nate Fuller was adapted in 2008 by Paul MacNellis (Director of Landscape Services, WMU) after being reviewed by faculty at WMU Biology and Environmental Studies Departments.
To view the management plan click here.
To view the management zone map click here.

	Upland Forest - A healthy upland forest type should be made up of three diverse levels.The canopy should contain predominately oaks and hickories in the higher ground and transition to maples and willows lower. Additional trees such as black cherry, basswood, and hackberry will supplement the diversity. The second story will have clusters of native shrubs and small trees such as witch hazel, hazelnut, and maple leaf viburnum. The forest floor will have native sedges, grasses, and rushes with numerous wildflowers.
	Marsh - The marsh includes three types of vegetation; emergent, submergent and floating. A healthy marsh habitat should be dominated by cattail, spatterdock, and other wetland vegetation with occasional islands of shrubs such as buttonbush and dogwood.
	Swamp Forest - This lowland forest should have a canopy cover of 75-100%. The main canopy trees should be maples and willows with a mixture of other species. The second story should be patches of shrubs such as dogwood, elderberry and willow. The floor of the forest should contain some sedges and grasses with occasional wildflowers such as marsh marigold, cardinal flower, and skunk cabbage.
	Shrub Carr - This is the habitat between the swamp forest and the marsh. This area should include native vegetation such as dogwood, willow and elderberry and can offer good food and cover for wildlife.