Atlas of Early Michigan's Forests, Grasslands, and Wetlands: An Interpretation of the 1816-1856 General Land Office Surveys

This easy-to-use Atlas provides the historical notes and maps of Michigan created by surveyors from the federal General Land Office (GLO) between 1816 and 1856. In addition, present-day maps have been overlain on the historic maps so that readers can locate the original forest and grassland types within Michigan today. This book affords readers the opportunity to see how areas throughout the state appeared to surveyors more than 150 years ago.
     Between 1988 and 1995, a team of ecologists assembled the original GLO maps and overlaid topographic, county, and statewide information onto them. They also mapped the boundaries of distinct forest types, modern topography and soils information, and the interpretations of expert field ecologists. Each forest, wetland, or prairie type shown on the GLO maps is accompanied by a photograph, a brief description, and a statewide map showing the distribution of each land type.