Legends and Ecology of the Great Lakes Region

Legends of Paul Bunyan

• Paul Bunyan, a legendary giant lumberjack, was said to be able to clear forests in minutes.
• Stories describe him creating the Great Lakes by scooping out ponds for his ox, Babe.

Habitat Loss in the Great Lakes Region

• Dense forests once covered the Great Lakes region.
• Settlers cleared land for farms, loggers cut down forests, and factories and cities were built, leading to habitat loss.
• Almost half of the original forest was lost to development.
• Habitat loss often results in the loss of the plants and animals that rely on that habitat.

Restoring Forest Habitat

• Timber companies are now using more sustainable logging practices and replanting trees in logged areas.
• Forests in the Great Lakes region are expanding instead of shrinking.

Protecting Precious Wetlands

• Wetlands like marshes, bogs, and swamps, were once considered worthless.
• More than half of the wetlands in the Great Lakes region were lost.
• Wetlands provide habitats for wildlife and help control flooding.
• Recent efforts are focused on protecting wetland habitats through nature preserves, education, and regulations requiring developers to create new wetlands.