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Illinois
  Biological Diversity    
 
Introduction
Present Day Forests
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Biological Diversity
Economic Importance
How Do We Know?
Human Inspiration
Tree Guide
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      Although forests occupy just 12% of the area of the state, they are critical to maintaining the biological diversity of Illinois. They provide habitat for over 75% of the state's wildlife. 

There are twenty-eight threatened and endangered animals in Illinois that require a forested habitat for some portion of their life cycle. These animals include the Common Barn Owl (Tyto alba), the dusky salamander (Desmognathus fuscus), the bobcat (Lynx rufus), the eastern massasauga snake (Sistrurus catenatus) and one insect, the hoary elfin (Incisalia polios), a small brown spring butterfly that has a white patch on the rear underwing. 

Illinois forests are also a summer breeding ground for many migrating neotropical birds. Forests are home to 61% of the state's native plants, and nearly half of all of the threatened and endangered plants in Illinois grow in forest habitats. Many of the state's wild orchids also require forest habitat.

   
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