Environmental Factors

Dragonfly resting on a bald cypress knee

NPS Photo

The Big Thicket region of Texas is a fascinating conglomeration of long ago and current environmental factors that have all contributed to the diverse array of plants, animals, and natural features encountered here. The glacial periods of long ago pushed animals into the area who have never left. Being on the edge of several major ecosystem types and having ample rain coming up from the Gulf of Mexico has allowed all of the associated plant communities to co-exist. Fires lit by lightning, Native Americans, early settlers, and now land managers have created and attempt to maintain fire dependent plant community types. Hurricanes, tornadoes, longer-term droughts, and occasional Arctic blasts from the north all continue to insert their influence on the plants and animals. The predicted outcomes from ongoing climate change including rising sea levels and changes in precipitation may also lead to larger scale environmental changes.

 

A prescribed fire burns the accumulated brush on the forest floor.

NPS Photo

Learn more about environmental factors:

• Oil Extraction
• The Climate of the Big Thicket
• Fire Regime
• Hydrologic Activity
• Nonnative Species