NATURAL RESOURCES IN GEORGIA

Georgia ◦ Largest State East of the Mississippi. ◦ 37 Million Acres ◦ Home to 975 Vertebrate Species, 63 of which are found only in Georgia. ◦ 3600 Native Plants Species. ◦ In the top percentage for amphibian, freshwater fish, and crayfish species.

Georgia Habitats You can walk through a forest cove in the mountains, float down a rivers in the piedmont, or walk through Spanish Moss draped forests near the coast. Changes happen over time to set back succession (changes that happen over time), to change our habitats. For Example: the forest may be at its highest succession for 150 years until one day a tornado or hurricane destroys the tall trees and sets back succession to an earlier time. The whole habitat of the area is now changed.

Pre historic Georgia ◦ Georgia’s landscape during the ice age peak would be unrecognizable to us today. During the ice age, northern pines and forests were pushed from the far north towards the south where they evolved to live and succeed here. ◦ Mastodons grazed in pine grasslands, Giant Sloths and Beavers the size of black bears roamed our piedmont areas. Predators like the American Lion, American Cheetah and Saber Toothed Cats were found all over. ◦ Of course, the arrival of the hunter changed the climate of what goes on and what animals could be found in Georgia.

Georgia Habitats ◦ A habitat provides the vital services for wildlife including space, food, water, and shelter. ◦ Changes in natural habitats may render them unsuitable for wildlife. ◦ Wetland draining, changing of rivers, water pollution, and chemical pollutants have drastically changed the lives of hundreds of species.

Georgia’s Physiographic Regions ◦ I Cumerbland Plateau ◦ Ridge and Valley ◦ Blue Ridge ◦ Piedmont ◦ Coastal Plain ◦ Barrier Islands

Mountains ◦ The mountains of Georgia are made up of the Cumberland Plateau, Ridge and Valley, and the Blue Ridge Provence.

Cumberland Plateau ◦ Smallest physiographic region of our state. ◦ This area is 2200 feet above sea level and is primarily sedimentary rock. ◦ The Habitat highlight of this area is Caves. ◦ Key Plants and animals: Zigzag Salamander, Green Salamander, Common Map Turtle, Gray Bat, Golden Eagles.

Ridge and Valley Province ◦ This area occupies about 5% of the state’s surface area, and is around 1000 feet above sea level. ◦ The habitat highlight of this areas is the Etowah Rivers. It is the most diverse temperate freshwater system. ◦ Key Species: Pine Wood Tree Frog ◦ Southern Hognose Snake, Squirrel Tree Frog, Conasauga Blue Burrower.

Blue Ridge Province ◦ The Physical Landscape holds the most dramatic terrain, Trees and mountains at about feet above seal level. ◦ Habitat Highlight: Cove Forest: this forest are home to a highly diverse group of animals and plants. ◦ Key Species include: Basswood tree, American Beech Tree, Yellow Birch Tree, wild ginseng, Pigeon Mountain Salamnader, Wood Warblers, and Black Bear.

Piedmont ◦ Physical Landscape: The piedmont covers one third of the state, and is around 1000 feet in elevation. ◦ Habitat Highlight: Flint River Basin-this is the most scenic area in Georgia, and the Flint River Stretches more than 200 miles. ◦ The Flint has 22 mussel species, and several types of granite rock. ◦ Key Species: Bal Eagle, Eastern Screech Owl, Broomsedge, Orange Grass, and Confederate Daisy.

Coastal Plain ◦ Physical Landscape: Covers 60% of the state, moderate climate with hot summers and mild winters. ◦ Habitat Highlight: Long Leaf Pine Wiregras Community. This area has over 90 million acres of Long Leaf Pine Trees and is home to Hundreds of Species of plants and animals ◦ Key Species: Longleaf Pine, Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, Bachman’s Sparrow, Gopher Tortoise, Pond Cypress, Water Lily, American Alligator, Bald Cypress.

Barrier Islands ◦ Physical Landscape: Islands, Marshes, areas that are in constant change with the changes in the ocean. ◦ It includes 8 islands, some uninhabited, but well developed. ◦ Habitat Highlights: Beaches, Dunes, Maritime Forest, Salt Marshes, Reefs ◦ Key SpeciesL:Southern Magnolias, Blue Herons, Bald Eagles, Raccoons, Oysters, Cord Grass, Sea Turtles, Manatee, Northern Right Whale, Wood Duck, Ruddy Duck

Summary ◦ With 6 different regions in our state, we are home to many plant, animal, and tree species. With weather brings many changes in habitats and food sources. We are very diverse and very special in all the types of species we offer here.