Ecology of Georgia (U.S. state)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ecology of Georgia covers many plant and animal species. The humid subtropical climate of Georgia influences its plant and animal life.
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[edit] Flora
The State of Georgia has approximately 250 tree species and 58 protected plants. Georgia's native trees include red cedar, a variety of pines, oaks, maples, palms, sweetgum and scaly-bark and white hickories, as well as many others. Yellow jasmine, flowering quince, and mountain laurel make up just a few of the flowering shrubs in the state.[1]
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[edit] Tree species
As stated above, Georgia has approximately 250 tree species. Red cedars, a medium-sized evergreen, are found throughout Georgia and are very beneficial to many wildlife species in Georgia. Specifically, the red cedar is a host plant for a variety of butterflies including the great purple hairstreak, the juniper hairstreak and the olive hairstreak butterflies.[2] Among pine trees, the Eastern white pine is found in North Georgia. Eastern white pines are typically 80 to 100 ft tall (25 to 33 m). They are useful both to humans and wildlife in that they provide wood products for human use and seeds for many birds and animals as well as providing a nesting area for bald eagles.[3]
The live oak, Georgia's state tree, grows along the coast as well as certain wooded areas. The wood of the live oak is strong and heavy, but not often used. The acorns that grow on the tree are eaten by birds and animals.[4] Sugar maples are found in Georgia. They can commonly grow above 100 ft and are useful for a variety of products, from the production of maple syrup to the creation of household products.[5] Needle palms, a variety of palm tree found near the Flint River in Georgia, reside in hardwood forests. The needle palm usually only reaches about 4 to 6 feet tall.[6]
[edit] Fauna
Regarding fauna, white-tailed deer can be found in approximately 50 counties. The mockingbird and brown thrasher are just two of the 160 bird species that can be found in the state. The eastern diamondback, copperhead, and cottonmouth as well as salamanders, frogs, and toads are among 79 species of reptile and 63 amphibians that make Georgia their home. The most popular freshwater game fish are trout, bream, bass, and catfish, all but the last of which are produced in state hatcheries for restocking. Dolphins, porpoises, whales, shrimp, oysters, and blue crabs are found off the Georgia coast.[1]
