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 ALABAMA f 



CD 



General description: Many natural sloughs and beaver ponds occur in the bot- ^ 



tomlands throughout Alabama. The swamp forests, such as Blue Girth Swamp in > 



Dallas County (Hall 1943), are densely wooded with cypress, tupelo, and black 



gum. Such areas are often heavily used by waterfowl, and hunting pressure is 



usually heavy. Kiichler recognizes the southern flood-plain forest dominated by 



tupelo (Nyssa aquatica), oak (Quercns spp.) and bald cypress (Ta.xodium 



distichum) as the distinctive vegetation type along the major rivers (Ku'chler 



1964). Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Limestone County is one of the 



finest wetlands in the state and attracts thousands of ducks and geese annually. 



Stands of cypress are typical along the shorelines of natural lakes in 



southwestern Alabama. The Mobile Delta, with mostly fresh water in its upper 



reaches, comprises 200 miles 2 of scattered lakes and bayous. 



Status of the wetlands: Both the Mobile Delta and the Wheeler National Wil- 

 dlife Refuge have been subjected to serious encroachments. These include pol- 

 lution from paper mills, aluminum ore, chemical plants and domestic sewage, 

 highway construction, power and telephone easements, and development. 



Source of data: Information was received from state and federal personnel. 

 Coverage of the state was inadequate. 



Recommendations: The Mobile Delta represents one of the most significant 

 natural wetlands in the state. The waters of the lower Delta range from fresh in 

 late winter and spring to moderately brackish in the late summer and fall. Pollu- 

 tion, however, is affecting the vegetation, especially in Polecat Bay. according to 

 testimony presented at a public hearing on 19 January 1967. to establish water 

 quality standards for streams of Alabama. To quote W. W. Beshears of the State 

 Department of Conservation. "I would like to repeat that the Mobile Delta is 

 one of the finest natural marshes remaining in this country, and if it is to con- 

 tinue to be important as a commercial and sport fishery, as a seafoods spawning 

 ground, and as habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife, pollution from all 

 sources must be stopped or at least reduced to a minimum level compatible with 

 the basic biological needs of the primary fish and wildlife species of im- 

 portance." The Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, although under federal pro- 

 tection, is recognized as one of the outstanding wetlands in the state. Lily 

 Shoals, a mile along the Cahaba Riser in Shelby County, should be given 

 prompt attention. Although the ownership pattern needs further clarification, 

 the Kimberly Clark Co. ordered no further cutting along the river in order to 

 preserve scenic values. It is felt that with further investigation other significant 

 wetlands would be found in Alabama worthy of Natural Landmark status. 



Literature cited 



Ham., Thomas F. 1943. Cypress-gum communities in the Blue Girth Swamp 



near Selma. Alabama. Ecology 24( 2 ):208-2 1 7. 

 Kic in i k. A. W. 1964. Potential natural vegetation of the conterminous U.S. 



Am. Geographical Soc. Spec. Publ. 36. 



