Land Use Analysis to Determine the Present and FutureThreats to the Water Resources Sustaining a Dolomite Prairie atLockport, Illinois

摘要

Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve (LPNP) is located adjacent to the DesPlaines River in Will County, Illinois. LPNP includes large expanses of DolomitePrairie, Sedge Meadow, and Marsh plant communities. These communities providehabitat for several threatened and endangered species. Dolomite prairie is one of therarest community types in Illinois. Ongoing studies have identified that ground wateris the keystone of the site's ecology. Anecdotal evidence suggests that LPNP may bedryer than in the past. Remaining undeveloped lands within and adjacent to therecharge area are under development pressures, and the annexation of lands is acontinuous process.A land use analysis of the LPNP recharge area was completed as a means ofclassifying different activities relating to current land use, and the proposed futureuse. Three zones were identified, including the "recharge area", the "recharge areabuffer", and "lands adjacent to the recharge area."