The Big Thicket Area

The Big Thicket has been called the American Ark and the nation's Biologic Crossroads. The area is the only place in America where so many ecosystems coexist. This convergence of ecosystems took place during the last ice age. It brought together, in one geographical location, the eastern hardwood forests, Gulf coastal plains, mid west prairies, southwest desert, and southeastern swamp.

What is extraordinary is how many plant and animal species coexist here. There are 85 tree species, more that 60 shrubs, and nearly 1000 other flowering plants, including 26 ferns, 20 orchids, and four of the five types of insect eating plants. 186 different types of birds either live here or migrate through the area. There are also fifty reptile species, and a recent survey noted an amazing 1728 species of moths and butterflies.

Photos are more descriptive than words. These are a few web sites which offer a visual description of the Big Thicket area.

http://www.nechesriver.org/

http://www.handsontheland.org/sitedata/bith/photo_bith.htm

http://www.carnivorousplantsoftexas.org