ECOLOGY OF THE OKEFENOKEE I, Parmjeet K. Singh, am currently pursuing my B.A. in math, and in the future I plan to teach at the college level. My topic is the ecology of the Okefenokee--including the numerous habitats and wildlife found within. Drowsing in the marshes Leisurely stands a crane, Looking in the distance As he spreads his great wings. Lifts his form gently O'er marshes, moss swept lane, And, swoops down cautiously,- Treads the lilies, through cane That stands high above him- In mulch, and mud, and rain; Drops his load gracefully, To quell a hungry pain- One lost in the marshes- Of one left in the flame! . . .1 "Land of the trembling earth" is not only a significant aperture into the historic cultures of the Okefenokee, but it is also the coexisting habitat for numerous species of birds, fish, insects, reptiles, and mammals (non-and endangered species alike). Because of its vast population of wildlife, the Okefenokee swamp is a noteworthy dichotomy (and unique subdivision) of the wetlands found throughout the United States-providing food and habitat for fish and wildlife in its natural condition. In fact, today's land coverage is made up of only 5% wetlands in which 35% of the rare and endangered species depend upon for survival. This particular region (600 square miles), the Okefenokee, is inhabited by over 200 species of birds, over 40 species of mammals, 50 plus species of reptiles, 60 species of amphibians, and 34 different kinds of fish2. But why is the Okefenokee Swamp such an attractive location for such a diverse array of animals, and what is there environment like? The intricate answer lies within the simple definition of the word "swamp"; the U.S. definition of a swap is a wetland dominated by trees or shrubs: a collective term for marshes, swamps, bogs and similar areas that often develop between open water and dry land-providing nestling of corridors for wildlife to hide and raise their young in, nutrient filled estuaries for young fish and shellfish to grow within, and lush stable ground for bears, deer, etc. to mature within3. However, the Okefenokee is an assembly of several different types of wetland communities-providing a stable and secure environment for its inhabitants. Six major wetland communities comprise the region: 1.) Pond Cypress forest, 2.) emergent and aquatic bed prairie, 3.) broad-leaved evergreen forest, 4.)broad-leaved shrub wetland, 5.) mixed cypress forest, and 6.) black gum forest.3 The acreage found in slightly elevated areas where the water and peat deposits are shallow are classified as the "pond cypress forest" and the "black gum forest." Open areas which include lakes, eminent marshes, and floating-leafed marshes of water-lilies are called "prairies." The Prairies comprise roughly 60,000 acres of the Okefenokee4. They are one to two feet of water covered with lilies and other aquatic plants. And because of its shallow waters, the Okefenokee is abundant in vegetated floating islands and rich in soil where vegetation has decayed and accumulated. To the delight of bird watchers, over 200 different species of birds can be found throughout the Okefenokee habitat6. The most common and frequently observable birds of the Okefenokee include species of the Herons and Egrets, Waterfowl, Vultures, hawks, turkeys, cranes, doves, pigeons, owls, woodpeckers, flycatchers, jays and crows, nuthatches, wrens, thrashers, shrikes, warblers, finches, sparrows, blackbirds, and grackles. The Okefenokee is also a fisherman's delight-retaining over 60 named lakes and 70 islands, with an abundance of fish: The record books denotes that 41,618 fish were caught in one season6. One is able to enjoy great bass, warmouth perch, and bream fishing throughout the year. *Here is a selected listing of some of the common fish and wildlife of the Okefenokee along with a description of their habitat, food supply, and enemy compositions in the "swamp" 2: MAMMALS: (bears, otters, deer, etc.) 1) American Black Bear (Ursus americus) Home: Prairie lands, nomadic animal--in search of food. Foods: Meat and plants, fruits and berries, acorns, nuts, and honey. Growth: Over 500 lb. Status : Not extremely common. 2) North American Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Home: Hollow trees/ Night creature. Foods: Fish, frogs, berries, crickets, crayfish, and nuts (Hamilton). Status: Common. Enemy: Bear 3) River Otter (Lutra canadensis) Home: Around their aquatic habitat and marshy land. Foods: Fish and other aquatic animals (small mammals). Status: Common. 4) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Home: Field, prairie lands/ Finding a hide-out among the thick thatches of shrubs and oak/pine trees. Foods: Shrubs, vegetation. Status: Environmental success story--bounding back after a period of unrestrained hunting. Common sight. BIRDS: (Great Blue Heron, *Red Cockaded Woodpecker, Kingfishers, etc.) 1) Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryl alycon) Home: Water land of the Okefenokee/ Burrow nests into a sandy bank. Foods: Minnow. 2) Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) Foods: Fish, frogs, lizards, crayfish. Growth: 50 inches (130 cm) stand. Status: Common 3) Great White Egret (Egretta alba) Foods: Small fish. Growth: 25 inches (90 cm.) Status: Nearly eliminated in 19th century for plumage for hats. Making strong come back. REPTILES: (turtles, tortoises, snakes, lizards, alligators) 1) Cottonmouth Moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) Home: Marshy lowlands--living around the water. Foods: frogs, fish, turtles, and other aquatic animals (and small mammals). Growth: Five feet. Status : Common in the Okefenokee, venomous. 2) Eastern Coral Snake (Micruvus fulvius) Home: Burrows into the ground/ Nocturnal animal. Foods: Small rodents. Growth: 3 feet (.9 m). Status : Rarely seen, Venomous. 3) Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) Home: Pine and plametto forests around the Okefenokee. Foods: Small mammals, rabbits, birds, and rodents. Growth: Eight feet (2.4 m). Status : Common in the Okefenokee, venomous/ Largest poisonous snake in North America (Snakes Vol.15). 4) Indigo Snake (Drymarchon Corais) (Snakes Vol.15) Home: Sandhills, coastal plains and pinewoods. (South U.S.) Foods: Small animals (mice, birds, frogs, toads, snapping turtles, and other snakes) Growth: 8 feet (2.5 m). Status: Gentlest North American snake/ Non-venomous nor constrictor. 5) American Alligator (Alligator mississippienesis) Home: Southeastern U.S./ Marsh lands of the Swamps, Securing nests in open areas around the banks. Foods: Anything can catch, birds, fish, mammals, etc. Growth: 12 feet (3.5 m). Status : Very common in the Okefenokee. 6) Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Home: Sandy regions of S.E United States/ Burrow extensively, in which other animals do tend to seek refuge (rattlesnakes, etc.) Foods: Leafed plants and vegetation, and small animals. Status: Common to SE United States. 7) Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) Home: Muddy terrain/ burrowing himself within. Foods: Variety of aquatic animals and plants. Growth: 35 pounds (16 kg). Click here for a thorough listing of BIRDS in the Okefenokee7. For additional information contact: Refuge Manager Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Route 2, Box 3330 Folkston, GA 31537 912-496-7836 *And rounding out the list of wildlife found in the Okefenokee, here is a seasonal/annual list: SEASONAL WILDLIFE OF THE OKEFENOKEE 4 January -- Waterfowl: mallards, ring-necked ducks, wood ducks, etc. February -- Ospreys nest, wild turkeys seek mates. March -- Tree swallows, robins, sandhill cranes leave. Parula Warblers and eastern kingbirds arrive. Sandhill cranes nest. April -- Wading bird rookeries active, Sandhill crane chicks hatch, Alligators belt warnings (territory) as mating begins. Bass Fishing best. May -- Endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers viewed nesting. Soft-shell turtles lay eggs, Warmouth perch fishing improves. Newborn fawns seen. June -- Chorus, pig, carpenter, etc. frogs heard at night. Good Bream fishing. July -- Young herons, egrets, ibis leave nest. Bucks show new velvet antlers. Wood storks feed in prairies. August -- Alligator nest hatch (young "cluck"). Nighthawks fly night skies eating insects. September -- Fall fishing improves. Fall migration begins (warblers move through). October -- Black bears feeding, marsh hawks glide over prairies. November -- Robins arrive, bald eagle seen. December -- Otters swim--alligators less active. Egrets, herons feed in lakes and prairies. Works Cited 1. Hicks, A. K. (1965). Okefenokee Wonderland. North Carolina: Primitive Publications. 2. Okefenokee Critter Center (6-30-96). World-Wide-Web. http://www.gravity783.com/jcrit.html 3. Gosselink, J. G. & Mitsch, W. J. (1986). Wetlands. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. 4. (GORP) Great Outdoor Recreation Pages: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. World-Wide Web: Greer Consulting Services Inc. http://www.gorp.com/gorp/resource/us_nwr/ga_ okefe.htm 5. Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge: Birds. (May 1994). Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 6. Gibson, D. R. (1974). The Okefenokee Swamp. Waycross: Dot Gibson Publications.