bottomland hardwood swamp

Bottomland hardwoods are commonly found in the southern U.S., usually near seasonally flooded streams and rivers. For many, deep forests with trees rising out of dark, slow-moving waters, perhaps an alligator peering from under a bank.

They are wildlife havens — over 600 species of plants have been documented in Georgia’s Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge alone.

Notable Species: Wood stork, alligator gar, wood duck, prothonotary warbler, American alligator, bald cypress, water tupelo, black gum.

Notable Refuges: AtchafalayaSt. Catherine CreekCache RiverYazooSavannah.