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Floodplain forests are wetlands dominated by mature, deciduous hardwood trees growing on alluvial soils associated with riverine systems. The soils are inundated during flood events, but are usually somewhat well-drained for much of the growing seasons. The most characteristic feature of floodplains is the alluvial soil that is consistently being deposited in some locations and eroded away in others. Dominant hardwoods include silver maple, green ash, river birch, eastern cottonwood, American elm, and black willow. The herbaceous groundlayer is commonly composed of jewelweed and nettles. The shrub layer is typically sparse to lacking because of frequent flooding.
 Floodplain forests have a great diversity of plant and animal species because they serve as migration corridors. Some of the many species of wildlife that inhabit floodplain forests are wood duck, barred owl, herons, egrets, and a variety of songbirds. Pools within the forest may provide habitat for amphibians and invertebrates, while adjoining areas of open sand may provide habitat for reptiles. During high water periods, these forests even provide habitat for fish.
Floodplain forests are extremely important for floodwater storage. Diking of floodplain forests to allow development or agricultural use can aggravate both upstream and downstream flooding impacts.
The Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory recognizes floodplain forest as a natural community type. Click here to read the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ community descriptions for these community types.
The wetland plant community description in italics above is excerpted from Eggers, S.D. and D.M. Reed. 1997. Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin. (2nd Edition). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul, MN.
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