Tennessee's Unique Landscape and Wildlife
Tennessee's habitats range from the wetlands and bottomland hardwoods of western Tennessee, cedar glade and grassland barrens of middle Tennessee to the high elevation spruce-fir forests of the mountainous east. Aquatic environments range from the oxbows and sloughs of the Missouri River to the spring and subterranean habitats of the Middle Tennessee barrens and Cumberland Plateau to the cold mountain streams of the Appalachian Mountains.
Over 300 species of birds use habitats within Tennessee. The state is home to 77 amphibian species, 55 reptiles, and 77 mammal species. The diversity of aquatic habitats supports an unparalleled array of aquatic species. Seventy-six species of crayfish, 99 species of aquatic snails, 130 species of freshwater mussels and over 325 species of fish all call Tennessee home.
Tennessee's Planning Approach
The Tennessee wildlife action plan was produced primarily with assistance from The Nature Conservancy and other partners such as the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, the Tennessee Ornithological Society, World Wildlife Fund, and other state and federal agencies.
Tennessee's wildlife action plan uses species occurrences coupled with information about rarity, mobility, and habitat preference to evaluate units of habitat across the state. By using GIS technology, species and habitat information is available for analysis at multiple geographic scales. A total of 37 potential sources of stress were identified as affecting species of greatest conservation need and their habitats.
Tennessee's Wildlife Action Plan Video
An inspiring video about the Tennessee Wildlife Action Plan featuring original music from composer Don King, who works for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. For more information visit www.tnwildlife.org
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
