Blackland Ecosystem

Clickable map

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
Originally, there were approximately 12 million acres of blackland prairies and woodlands in northeast and east central Texas, with smaller tracts in southwest Arkansas, northwest Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. By 1975, only about 1% of the original blackland prairie remained, with less than 5,000 acres of high quality habitat. This amount has undoubtedly decreased further.

The blackland region of Arkansas occurs in Clark, Hempstead, Howard, Little River, Nevada, and Sevier counties. The state's blackland prairies and associated woodlands and bottomlands harbor more than 600 plant and 315 animal species, including many that are classified as rare.

Threats
Much of the landscape has changed significantly in the last 150 years, and high quality remnants of the blackland ecosystem are difficult to find. Lands have been altered or are currently threatened by fire suppression, conversion to pasture or tree plantation, urbanization, soil erosion, and invasive species.

Plants
Blackland prairie flora typically consists of 2-3 foot tall grasses and a diverse mix of forbs. Showy wildflowers present a landscape rich in color and dynamic change as different species flower throughout the year. Blackland prairie flora is dominated by little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastum nutans).

Common forbs present are:

coneflowers (Echinacea spp.)
prairie clovers (Dalea spp.)
milkweeds (Asclepias spp.)
compass plant (Silphium laciniatum)
blazing stars (Liatris spp.)
prairie rose gentian (Sabatia campestris)
and many others

Animals
The blackland ecosystem harbors several birds that are rare in Arkansas, including:

Bachman's sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis)
peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Cooper's hawk (Accipeter cooperii)
sharp-shinned hawk (Accipeter striatus)
osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
neotropic cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is also found in the some of the region's waters.

List of animals at the Blackland Ecosystem

Our Conservation Strategy
The Conservancy and its partners—among them the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and private landowners—are working to protect, preserve, and restore what remains of the state's blackland ecosystem. This involves moving additional lands into conservation ownership and actively managing conserved areas to maintain or increase native plant and animal diversity.

Fire is the most important ecological process maintaining the distribution, composition, and diversity of blackland prairie, woodland, and forest communities, so a primary goal is to restore a regular fire regime to these areas. Other important management activities include controlling invasive species and restoring severely eroded areas. The Conservancy also promotes land and timber management practices that preserve biodiversity on privately owned tracts.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The Conservancy owns 215 acres in two preserves and holds a conservation easement on 400 privately owned acres. The stewardship staff also works with state agency partners to manage thousands more acres of public lands. One of these sites is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Wildlife Management Area. At 4,885 acres, Grandview is the largest known area of blackland ecosystem in conservation ownership.

Regular prescribed burns are conducted throughout the region, with follow-up monitoring to assess the effects on target species and communities. Volunteer groups have provided critical help to restoration efforts by removing invasive cedar trees, installing erosion control matting, collecting native prairie seeds, and reseeding degraded areas.

Preserves/Projects/Places to Visit
Columbus Prairie
Terre Noire
Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Wildlife Management Area

Download a printable blacklands ecosystem fact sheet (PDF).