MICHIGAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY

          SOUTHWESTERN CHAPTER FIELD TRIP

    Acidic Sandy Flatwoods

      Allegan State Game Area

Jesse Lincoln, Conservation Associate – Ecologist

Michigan Natural Features Inventory

Saturday October 11, 2025, 10 AM to noon

The Michigan Natural Features Inventory has recently created the Acidic Sandy Flatwoods classification. Acidic sandy flatwoods occur on seasonally wet, acidic, sandy soils dominated by a diverse mixture of upland and lowland hardwoods. The community occurs almost exclusively on sandy lakeplains in the southwestern and southeastern Lower Peninsula. Seasonal and interannual water table fluctuations and microtopographic variation characterize this community, with wetland species dominating low areas and upland species dominating low rises. Surface soils are typically slightly to very strongly acidic, fine-textured sands, with a high organic content and often a shallow muck layer in the hollows. Natural processes that influence species composition and community structure include seasonal inundation and desiccation, windthrow, and occasional fires. Canopy dominants include oaks (Quercus palustris, Q. bicolor, Q. alba, and Q. rubra), black-gum (Nyssa sylvatica), red maple (Acer rubrum), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), and historically ashes (Fraxinus spp.), which are now largely restricted to the understory due to canopy die-off caused by the introduced emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis).

 In October the site should be relatively dry. Insect repellent, sunscreen, water as well as suitable clothing are suggested. The trip difficulty level is rated moderate but may be difficult in places.

 Jesse Lincoln is an ecologist and conducts vegetation surveys of state game areas to identify & inventory important natural areas, document rare plants, accurately age trees, and integrate these elements into wildlife management plans. With MNFI since 2010, he has always been interested in plants, factors that influence where they grow, and their interaction with the wildlife that relies on them. He enjoys identifying areas that have not been thoroughly botanized, collecting plants that have not been documented there, and submitting the collections to universities to contribute to accurate distribution maps. He also enjoys finding remnants of high-quality natural areas and working to get them protected. He earned a BS and MS in Biology from Grand Valley State University.

Directions: We will park at the intersection of 128th Ave and 41st St in Allegan County.  From the Kalamazoo area, take M-131 north to the Plainwell area and exit 49B.  Turn left (west) on to M-89 toward Allegan. Continue on M-89 through Allegan. North of Allegan, M-89 is called Lincoln Rd and is also M-40.  At the intersection with 124th Ave (Durmont Rd), stay on M-40 and continue north to 128th Ave.  Turn right (east) and proceed for one mile.  There is limited roadside parking. The coordinates are 42.622851, -85.947926.