TENNESSEE ^ 



Z 



General description: Although the three major types of wetlands— swamps, m 



bogs, and marshes— are represented in the state, extensive undisturbed tracts CO 



are rare. One of the finest, Reelfoot Lake, has already been designated as a Re- m 



gistered Natural Landmark. Formed as a result of an earthquake in the early rn 



part of the last century, its vegetation pattern includes cypress swamps, sawgrass 

 marshes, and water lily glades. Bogs are highly scattered and often limited in 

 size, such as the one on Andrews Bald in the Great Smokies. Shady Valley Bog 

 in eastern Tennessee represents one of the best bog sites in which the pollen 

 record has been documented. The most extensive swamps occur along the Mis- 

 sissippi River bottoms and in the valley of its tributaries in western Tennessee 

 (Shelford 1954). Several wetlands associated with the limestone outcroppings 

 have been included as representative of the state's liquid assets. 



Status of the wetlands: Many of the state's wetlands have been drained for 

 agricultural use or flooded for dam sites. The original swamp forests along the 

 Wolf, Loosahatchie, Hatchie, Forked Deer, and Obion rivers have been 

 destroyed during the channelization projects which were in progress at least up 

 to 1968 (H. R. DeSelm, pers. comm.). The Director of the State Game and Fish 

 Commission, Fred W. Stanberg, has expressed alarm at the loss of wetlands in 

 the lower valley of the Mississippi. 



Source of data: Data have been provided by biologists from the Tennessee State 

 Parks Department and the state universities. 



Recommendations: Except for Reelfoot Lake, Sinking Pond, comprising 160 

 acres, is the largest example of wetland development in karst topography. 

 Although within a federally owned facility, designation as a Natural Landmark is 

 highly recommended. A smaller area, Goose Pond, also underlain by limestone, 

 represents a typical cattail-sawgrass marsh. A portion is federally owned. Nes- 

 tled in an agricultural valley at 2400 ft, Shady Valley Bog is a rather unique bog . 

 habitat. The past and present vegetation has been studied by Dr. Frank Barclay 

 of East Tennessee State University. If adequate protection can be given the 

 area, it should be designated as a Natural Landmark. Data on hardwood swamp 

 forests are inadequate. The one reported, the Willow Oak Swamp Forest, 

 represents a remnant stand of mature swamp oak. This tract is surely worthy of 

 protection. Its suitability as a landmark should depend upon whether other more 

 suitable sites of this type can be found. 



In the Cumberland Plateau swamp and bog vegetation has been highly 

 modified by man. However, contact with Dr. Don Caplenor, Department of 

 Biology, Tennessee Technological University, Cookville, Tennessee, is sug- 

 gested, when on-site inspections are made. The swamp forests along the Cum- 

 berland River should also be investigated. 



Literature cited 



Shf.lford, V. E. 1954. Some lower Mississippi Valley flood-plain biotic 

 communities; their age and elevation. Ecology 35:126-142. 



