Alabama’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta stretches over 400 square miles, bursting with cypress swamps, oxbow lakes, and diverse wildlife. This rich ecosystem is not just beautiful; it’s critical for the health of wetlands and fisheries extending from northern Alabama all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Unfortunately, this ecological gem is facing threats from development and climate change. Residents, scientists, and environmentalists are banding together to protect this unique watershed, aiming to raise awareness about its significance.
The delta serves as a habitat for hundreds of fish and bird species, along with rare plant life. It’s not just any land; it’s recognized as one of the richest areas for biodiversity across Alabama’s extensive 44,000-square-mile Mobile River watershed.
Bill Finch, a forest researcher, highlights the region's unique oak diversity, noting Alabama boasts around 40 oak species alone. The delta supports about 350 fish species, including over 100 types of crawfish and nearly 30 turtle species.
Local resident Lucy Hollings proclaims, "I know I live in the most beautiful place in the world. It’s a piece of heaven to me.” Yet, the beauty of the delta isn’t all pristine; significant environmental damage has occurred over the years.
Significant logging activities took place as recently as the 1980s, where loggers removed vast tracts of cypress and other trees using helicopters. Pollutants from local chemical plants and paper mills, along with remnants of banned substances like DDT, have compromised the health of land and waterways.
Dams upstream have altered natural waterflow, preventing fish migration and contributing to the extinction of some freshwater species exclusive to the watershed. Adding to the environmental concerns, over 21 million tons of coal ash stored near the Mobile River could threaten this fragile ecosystem if not managed properly.
Despite the challenges, some progress has been made. The Nature Conservancy of Alabama recently acquired 8,000 acres of forested wetland, previously endangered by logging operations intended for generating wood pellets for European power plants.
Mitchell Reid, Conservancy Director, expressed the significance of this acquisition: "It would’ve been a horrible loss to the system.” This land is considered key to preserving the integrity of the upper delta.
Conservationists are also collaborating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to design fish bypasses around aging dams, which could reconnect spawning grounds long lost to many fish species. These efforts aim to boost populations of critically endangered species like the Alabama sturgeon.
The environmental movement around the delta is not just local; it’s part of broader efforts to mitigate climate impacts. Increased rainfall and rising sea levels may push saltwater inland, harming delicate forest ecosystems.
Judy Haner, Alabama Nature Conservancy’s coastal programs director, emphasizes the urgency of acquiring more land for species migration due to climate-related changes. Acquiring the right pieces is key to fostering biodiversity as conditions continue to shift.
Seasoned biologists indicate rising sea levels threaten to compromise brackish environments, where saltwater and freshwater mix, leading to conversion of forested areas to marshlands. Such transitions could disrupt the delicate balance of species dependent on specific habitats.
Stronger hurricanes and saltwater surges are causing serious erosion affecting both flora and fauna. The conservation movement recognizes the need to adapt, ensuring the delta’s future safety.
To build resilience against these threats, conservationists are working to restore ecosystems even far from the delta, such as urban areas around Birmingham. This expanded approach aims to capture stormwater and corresponding sediments before they reach the fragile ecosystems of the delta.
The conservation efforts surrounding the Mobile-Tensaw Delta remind us of the importance of protecting not just local environments but those interconnected ecosystems critical for sustaining healthy biodiversity. The time to act is now—before it’s too late for this treasure of the South.
