Central U.S. hardwood forests
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Central U.S. hardwood forests comprise an ecoregion in eastern North America. It has one of the most diverse herbaceous plant floras of ecoregions in North America.
[edit] Threats
There is very little intact habitat in this ecoregion. Although much of the area is forested, these forests tend to be highly fragmented and significantly altered by development, agriculture, and fire suppression. The forests are dominated primarily by oak and hickory species. In some areas, habitat is threatened by urbanization and invasive species such as non-native privet, honeysuckle, and kudzu.
[edit] Significant natural areas in the ecoregion
Tennessee
- Cedar glades of Middle Tennessee
- Wolf River (Tennessee)
- Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area
Kentucky
Illinois
- Cache River (Illinois) wetlands
Missouri
[edit] References and external links
- Ricketts, T.H., E. Dinerstein, D.M. Olson, C.J. Loucks, et al. (1999). Terrestrial Ecoregions of North America: A Conservation Assessment. World Wildlife Fund - United States and Canada. Island Press, Washington, D.C. pp. 337-340.
- National Geographic WildWorld ecoregion profile
- Central U.S. hardwood forests images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu
