Vegetation of Wind-blown Glacial Sand Deposits along the Illinois River - A Review

This study is a review of the vegetation of the major plant communities in the wind-blown glacial sand deposits of the lower Illinois River Valley (inland sand deposits of H. A. Gleason). Most of these studies were conducted between 1999 through 2007, with a few into the present. Approximately 1086 km2 of sand deposits occur on the terraces and uplands surrounding the Illinois River from the “Big Bend” region near Hennepin, Putnam County, south into Greene County, Illinois. These deposits vary in size from a few hectares to the deposit centered in Mason County which covers approximately 570 km2. Most sand deposits are now cultivated, with small remnants of protected natural vegetation in nature preserves and a state forest. These natural areas contain many high-quality sand communities, including sand ponds, sand seeps, a tall shrub fen, a sedge meadow, sand prairies, a dry gravel prairie, sand savannas, and sand forests.