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East Central Texas forests  (WWF ecoregion NA0405)  

forest near Harwood, Texas
near Harwood, Texas


Source of bioregions data: Olson, D. M. and E. Dinerstein. The Global 200: Priority ecoregions for global conservation. (PDF file) Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 89:125-126.

Distinctiveness (1=highest,4=lowest): 3 (bioregionally outstanding)
This ecoregion is rich in butterflies and reptiles.*

Conservation Status (1=most endangered, 5=most intact): 1 (critical)
Approximately 25% of the natural vegetation remains, but it is highly fragmented and has been heavily altered.  Conversion to agriculture and fire suppression are significant threats.*

Characteristic species*
Quercus coccinea (scarlet oak)
Quercus stellata (post oak)
Quercus marilandica (blackjack oak)
Carya glabra (pignut hickory)
Carya tomentosa (mockernut hickory)
Ulmus americana (American elm)
Carya illinoensis
(pecan)

Some views from the ecoregion

Disturbed roadside forest, eastern Texas

forest west of Columbus, Texas forest near Woelder, Texas forest near Harwood, Texas forest near Harwood, Texas forest near Kingsbury, Texas
(left) west of Columbus, Texas, (2nd from left) near Woelder, Texas, (center and 2nd from right) near Harwood, Texas, (right) near Kingsbury, Texas  hires hires hires hires hires

* 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. 258-260.

Except as noted, images copyright 2002-2011 Steve Baskauf - Terms of use