Alabama’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta is a lush, vibrant over 400-square-mile (1,036-square-kilometer) expanse of cypress swamps, oxbow lakes, marshland, hardwood stands and rivers. It’s a place of astonishing plant and animal diversity and a critical conduit between the rest of Alabama and the Gulf of Mexico.
Glaciers that covered much of North America never reached Alabama , which helped produce one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. Now, conservationists are working to protect this 470-square-mile delta from climate change and development. A boat pushes barges on the water in the upper Mobile–Tensaw Delta on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, near McIntosh, Ala. A boat pushes barges on the water in the upper Mobile–Tensaw Delta on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, near McIntosh, Ala.
So residents, scientists and environmentalists are working to protect the entire watershed, from northern Alabama to the Gulf, and to raise awareness.is an important spawning ground and habitat for hundreds of fish species. There are hundreds of bird species, rare flowers and carnivorous plants. The state’s fish diversity is unmatched on the continent, with about 350 species, including more than 230 in the Mobile River basin. There are over 100 crawfish species, almost three dozen turtle species. More mussel species than all of South America.
But other threats are unresolved. A canal built to connect the Tennessee and Tombigbee rivers in northern Alabama could allow invasive Asian carp to reach the Mobile River system and the delta, potentially devastating native fish. The Fish & Wildlife Service says a few carp have been found and removed downstream of the canal, with biologists relying on early detection while other control measures are considered.
“It would’ve been a horrible loss to the system,” says Conservancy Director Mitchell Reid, who calls the land “a critical piece of the puzzle” as the group works to protect the upper delta by keeping large tracts intact.
Gulf Of Mexico Wetlands Animals Waterways General News TN State Wire LA State Wire AL State Wire MS State Wire Plants U.S. News N Climate Change Environmental Conservation Nature Conservancy A Climate And Environment U.S. News
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Takeaways from AP’s story on Alabama’s ecologically important Mobile-Tensaw Delta and its watershedAlabama’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta is a more-than 400-square-mile (1,036-square-kilometer) expanse of cypress swamps, oxbow lakes, marshland, hardwood stands
Read more »
Conservationists try to protect Alabama delta from development, climate changeAlabama's Mobile-Tensaw Delta is a lush, vibrant and surprisingly intact more than 400-square-mile (1,036-square-kilometer) expanse of cypress swamps, oxbow lakes, marshland, hardwood stands and rivers
Read more »
Alabama bill would require permits for assault weaponsA prefilled bill with the Alabama Legislature could change a gun law in Alabama.
Read more »
Everything Alabama OC Nick Sheridan Said After Alabama's Third Practice of Fall CampFull transcript from Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, addressing position battles, Ryan Williams and Jalen Milroe's growth at quarterback.
Read more »
Everything Kalen DeBoer Said After Alabama's First Fall PracticeA full transcript of everything the Alabama coach said after Alabama opened fall camp.
Read more »
Central Alabama Community Foundation expanding into East AlabamaMontgomery, Alabama
Read more »