The MAB Program United States of America
Biosphere Reserve Information - General Description
Big Thicket
General Description
Big Thicket Biosphere Reserve
and National Preserve is situated in south-east Texas, bounded by the Neches and
Trinity Rivers to the east and west and by Woodville and Beaumont to the north
and south. The southern units of the area are flat, low and poorly drained,
while the northern units are hilly with moderate drainage.
The Big Thicket area of east Texas, often referred to as a ‘biological
crossroad’, is a transition zone where southeastern swamps, eastern deciduous
forest, central plains, pine savannas, and dry sandhills meet and intermingle.
This giant ecotone provides habitat for rare species and favors unusual
combinations of plants and animals.
The main disturbances and threats to the ecosystem include gas and oil
exploration and extraction, population growth, and hunting and trapping. There
are numerous research projects being conducted to gather baseline information of
flora, fauna, geology, archaeology and history. Monitoring activities include
e.g. climate, soils, hydrology, air quality and selected plant communities.
Last updated: 08/11/2005