Blacklands & Sandhills Program

Blackland sites are known for their brilliant displays of wildflowers and abundant widlife.

Photo on left © TNC. Photo on right © Charles Mills.

Ecological Significance

The blacklands of southwestern Arkansas, a landscape dominated by tall native grasses, had a watery beginning. Millions of years ago the Gulf of Mexico covered the region. As it receded, it left behind deposits of shellfish that formed a chalky layer underneath a deep mantle of rich, black soil. It’s from this dark soil that the blacklands get their name. With a keen eye one can still find fossils of ancient oyster shells or perhaps even a mosasaur, a giant reptile that patrolled the oceans of the Cretaceous Period. The state's blackland prairies and associated woodlands and bottomlands harbor more than 600 plant and 315 animal species. The prairies are often splashed with colorful wildflowers and attract a variety of birds, including rare species such as Bachman’s sparrow, Cooper’s hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, peregrine falcon and osprey.

What We've Done

Because the blacklands are one of the most at-risk ecosystems in the Southeast, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission decided during the 1980s to increase its efforts in this region. After conducting ecological surveys, the commission protected several blackland remnants, including Terre Noire Natural Area. Further ecological assessments by the Conservancy in the 1990s located the least-disturbed areas, while stewardship of the Commission’s natural areas fostered a deep knowledge of restoration in the blackland ecosystem. The Conservancy’s work included a threats assessment as well as scientific descriptions of 22 blackland ecological communities, 21 of which are globally imperiled. Partnership work strengthened following the acquisition of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Wildlife Management Area in 1997. The Conservancy and the two agencies continue working closely together on restoring and monitoring existing blackland preserves as well as expanding conservation on more land.

Threats

Originally, about 12 million acres of blackland prairies and woodlands covered parts of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Today some 10,000 acres – less than one percent – of the blacklands remain in scattered patches.

Most of the virgin blackland landscape disappeared in the last 150 years, and high quality remnants are increasingly rare. The wide-open terrain and rich soils were appealing for conversion to agricultural fields, pastures and tree plantations. The widespread suppression of fire allowed woody plants to grow up in prairie openings and shade out sun-loving wildflowers and grasses. As native plants disappeared and incompatible land practices increased, soil erosion and invasive plant species became increasingly problematic. Today the remaining blacklands face these same threats, and, as human populations have increased, they also face suburban development.

What We're Doing

The Nature Conservancy, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and many private landowners are working to protect, preserve and restore what remains of the blackland ecosystem. Arkansas is fortunate to have the largest blackland conservation site in the United States – the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's 4,885-acre Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA. Nearby, the Conservancy’s Columbus Prairie Preserve protected another 120 acres. With the support of the Cabe Foundation and the Stella Boyle Smith Foundation, several neighboring landowners are working with the Conservancy to manage 1,400 acres of blackland habitat for wildlife through a cooperative fire restoration program with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.

Terre Noire Natural Area near Arkadelphia, Nacatoch Ravines, White Cliffs, and several other blackland sites throughout the region have been conserved cooperatively with the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.

Because fire is the most important ecological process maintaining the distribution, composition and diversity of blackland ecosystems, the Conservancy’s stewardship crews conduct controlled burns throughout the region and follow-up with monitoring to assess the effects on target species and communities. Volunteers have helped remove invasive plants, repair erosion damage, collect native prairie seeds and reseed degraded areas.