In order to understand your watershed, it is necessary to know about natural communities.

A natural community is a complex interaction of the landscape —rock and soils, and plant and animal communities. Various types of habitat exist within a watershed as a result of the soil varieties and rock structures.

Historically, the dominant natural community on the foundation of limestone, sandstone and shale in the South Grand River watershed was prairie with oak savannas and open woodlands present along and near streams. With the loss of a large portion of this habitat, many of the species dependent on it are in serious decline. Because of the connection of biological and geographical systems, many changes are set in motion when habitat is altered or destroyed. These changes ripple throughout the watershed and impact the water resource all life depends on. Visit www.sgrwa.org to learn more about natural communities and how you can help improve water quality by protecting or restoring habitat.