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W TEXAS 



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y General description: Texas spans a vast region from the West Gulf Coastal 



Plain, where semi-tropical wetland elements occur, across the Central and Great 

 Plains to the Basin and Range country of west Texas. 



Most of the areas reported are from eastern Texas. The semi-tropical swamp, 

 marsh, and bog vegetation aspect may be found in Palmetto State Park. Typical 

 hardwood swamps are represented in Cedar Springs and Swamp and the 

 Stephen F. Austin Experimental Forest. In east-central Texas, Falls County Bog 

 exhibits a typical bog flora and fauna. 



In the southern tip of the state, the Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge is well 

 known as a wetland of high productivity. 



Two areas in the Great Plains — Los Lingos Canyon and XIT Springs — have 

 marshy habitats and springs as the significant ecological features. 



The Great Thicket in Eastern Texas, including parts of Liberty, Polk, Hardin, 

 Tyler, and San Jacinto counties, is a 300,000-acre wilderness in which semi- 

 tropical and other wetland types occur (Flippo 1971 ). It has been referred to as 

 the botanical crossroads of North America. Here are found wetland elements 

 common to the Florida Everglades, the Okefenokee, and the Appalachian 

 Mountain region. Among the wetland communities are palmetto-bald cypress 

 hardwoods, bogs, and flood-plain forests. No specific data on this area were ob- 

 tained. 



Status of the wetlands: Of the areas reported, cutting and grazing were among 

 ; the major encroachments. In the Big Thicket, lumbering interests and develop- 

 ment have reduced the area from an original 3,350,000 acres to less than 

 300,000. In fact, it is estimated that the Thicket is disappearing at the rate of 50 

 acres per day. Although it has been recommended as a National Park, political 

 maneuvers by the lumber interests have blocked its establishment. Currently, 

 two bills have been introduced to establish either an 84,000 or 100,000 acre Na- 

 tional Park (Flippo 1971). 



Sources of data: Data have been obtained from the Texas Chapter of The Na- 

 ture Conservancy and college and university biologists. Data adequate for inclu- 

 sion in this report were obtained for only eight wetlands. However, a listing by 

 county of some 30 more areas by The Nature Conservancy might provide addi- 

 tional wetlands for investigation. 



Recommendations: Of the semi-tropical wetland element, Palmetto State Park 

 represents a unique flora and fauna of special ecological interest. Although 

 under state protection, Natural Landmark status would add national recognition 

 to this outstanding ecological area. The Big Thicket area previously described 

 should be investigated for sizeable tracts of semi-tropical wetland for designa- 

 tion as Natural Landmarks. 



Areas dominated by swamp hardwoods include the Stephen F. Austin Experi- 

 mental Forest (USFS) and Cedar Springs and Swamp. Both are several thousand 

 acres in extent. Since Cedar Springs is privately owned, this tract may be less 

 secure from long-term disturbance than lands within the Experimental Forest, 

 but might profit more from landmark status. 



Bog habitats are represented in the Gus Engling Wildlife Management Area 

 and Falls County Bog. The former is under state management, the latter private- 

 ly owned. Field inspections would be necessary to determine current status of 



