Habitat/Species

Council of Great Lakes Governor’s Priority:
“Enhance fish and wildlife by protecting and restoring coastal wetlands and fish and wildlife habitats.”

The Great Lakes provide important critical habitat for fish, migratory birds, and a host of wildlife and plant species. Just a few examples of some of the unique habitat in Wisconsin’s Great Lakes Basins include the Niagara Escarpment, Green Bay, and the extensive wetland complexes along the Lake Superior south shore. Lake Michigan and Lake Superior support diverse fish communities, including cold water habitat for species such as coaster brook trout.

Threats to Great Lakes habitat are varied and significantly impact wildlife and plants ability to survive. For example, excessive nutrient runoff and sedimentation degrade wetlands and fish spawning habitat. Land and shoreland development remove wildlife habitat and convert it to other uses to the detriment of wildlife. Invasive species crowd out native species and can significantly alter food web dynamics.

Finally, our lack of information on the locations and characteristics of critical habitat make it difficult to track trends on habitat values and loss. Addressing issues such degraded or impaired fish and wildlife populations in open water/nearshore areas, degradation and loss of coastal wetlands and degradation of rivers and streams that are tributaries to the Great Lakes are the primary focus of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration priority on habitat and species.

For more information on habitat and species visit the following sites.

Great Lakes Regional Collaboration - Habitat/Species Strategy Team