Despite decades of timber harvest and development, the bottomland hardwood forests of the riverine systems of Texas make up the largest remnant expanse of forest on the Gulf Coast. However, this ecosystem and the benefits that it provides to us all is under threat by fragmentation from development due to urban expansion. 

Flood Control

Bottomland hardwood forest ecosystems are able to absorb and slowly release floodwaters. This protects the surrounding and downstream communities from devastating floods.

Wildlife Habitat

These ecosystems provide vital stopover sites for migrating neotropical songbirds. Learn more about this Audubon Important Bird Area here. The bottomland forests are also home to many other types of animals including deer, owls, frogs, snakes, and more. 

Water Quality Improvement

Bottomland hardwood forests improve water quality by filtering out pollutants and excess nutrients. 

Reducing The "Heat Island Effect"

Trees provide shade. These shaded areas have lower surface and air temperatures that can be 20-45 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than surrounding non-shaded and urbanized areas. 

Groundwater Recharge

Because these ecosystems have high water infiltration rates they are able to replenish groundwater supplies after heavy rains and flood events. 

Carbon Storage

The trees of bottomland hardwood ecosystems capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store carbon in their leaves, stems, trunks, and roots, as well as in the soil. 

Symbols for diagrams courtesy of the Integration and Application Network

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coastal marsh

coastal prairie