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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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BIG THICKET |
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| General Description |
Big Thicket Biosphere Reserve and National Preserve is situated in south-east Texas, bounded by the Neches and Trinity Rivers to the east and west and by Woodville and Beaumont to the north and south. The southern units of the area are flat, low and poorly drained, while the northern units are hilly with moderate drainage. The Big Thicket area of east Texas, often referred to as a ‘biological crossroad’, is a transition zone where southeastern swamps, eastern deciduous forest, central plains, pine savannas, and dry sandhills meet and intermingle. This giant ecotone provides habitat for rare species and favors unusual combinations of plants and animals. The main disturbances and threats to the ecosystem include gas and oil exploration and extraction, population growth, and hunting and trapping. There are numerous research projects being conducted to gather baseline information of flora, fauna, geology, archaeology and history. Monitoring activities include e.g. climate, soils, hydrology, air quality and selected plant communities. |
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| Major ecosystem type | Temperate broadleaf forest | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | ||||
| Location | 30°31'N, 94°19'W | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 39,121 | |||
| Core area(s) | ||||
| Buffer zone(s) | ||||
| Transition area(s) when given | ||||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | 0 to +8 | |||
| Year designated | 1981 | |||
| Administrative authorities | Big Thicket National Preserve National Park Service | |||
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| Brief description |
Fire influences on plant communities Tree demography, seedling mortality Soil nutrient limitations on tree seedling establishment Intensive monitoring and modeling of pollutants in airshed River management study |
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| Specific variables... | ||||
| Abiotic | Modelling, monitoring/methodologies, nutrients, pollution, pollutants, soil. | |||
| Biodiversity | Community studies/Communities, fires/fire ecology, forest systems, freshwater/inland water, plants. | |||
| Socio-economic | n.a. | |||
| Integrated monitoring | Management issues. | |||
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| Contact address |
Richard R. Peterson Big Thicket Natural Reserve 3785 Milam 77701 Beaumont, Texas United States of America |
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| Telephone | (1.409) 839 2690 ext. 225 | |||
| Fax | (1.409) 839 2599 | |||
| Web site | www.nps.gov/bith/ | |||
| Contact address |
Roy Zipp Big Thicket Natural Reserve 3785 Milam 77701 Beaumont, Texas United States of America |
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| Telephone | (1.409) 839 2690 ext. 225 | |||
| Fax | (1.409) 839 2599 | |||
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roy_zipp@nps.gov |
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| Web site | www.nps.gov/bith/ | |||
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| Last updated: 8/15/2000 |
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