Habitat

             E. alderi are most commonly found in grass prairies or forests. One type of grass prairie that E. alderi inhibit are called lowland grass prairies. Lowland grass prairies either have a sedge meadow or a calcareous meadow with an occasional cobble beach (Nekola 2008)

           Another grass prairie E. alderi can commonly be found in are lowland openings which are areas along stream banks and are more common in southern areas. Lowland openings are flooded more then several times a year and tend to be acidic.  The snails will be found in decaying leaf matter that gathers in the habitat (Nekola 2008).

            One type of forest environment E. alderi inhabit is called an upland forest. Upland forests have clay- rich soil with a thin layer of leaf litter that collects on the ground or by down trees.  Upland forests can also be somewhat rocky (Nekola 2008).

           Other forest environments E. alderi inhibit are called lowland forests. Lowland forests have a higher acidic level than most areas and have a layer of moss on the ground; they range from being very wet to just damp. The trees that live in these areas depend upon whether it is very wet or just barely damp. The most common trees for a general lowland forest are: Tamarack, White Cedar, Ash, Red Maple, and Black spruce. The common shrubs of lowland forests include: Winterberry, Alder, and Sphagnum moss. No matter what kind of trees are in the lowland forest, the snails can be found around tree trunks, patches of decaying leaf, or mossy areas (Nekola 2008).

            Acid bog sites are another common place to find Euconulus alderi snails that is neither a prairie or forest environment.  These habitats are found along ponds and streams and have high acidic levels and very low calcium levels. Acid bog sites contain Myrica and Sphagnum moss which the snails can feed off of (Nekola 2008).


            Main counties in Wisconsin around the Great Lakes in which E. alderi exist heavily              (Nekola 2003):

 

Brown
Calumet
Door
Greenlake
Kewaunee
Manitowoc
Marinette
Oconto
Ozaukee
Sheboygan
Washington
Waushara

Fig. 1 The outlined areas indicate where the highest populations of E. alderi are in Wisconsin.
© Andrea Finley