User:CZ1999/sandbox: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary Tags: Visual edit Disambiguation links added |
||
Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
<!-- EDIT BELOW THIS LINE --> |
<!-- EDIT BELOW THIS LINE --> |
||
===Alabama Ancient Savanna Species List=== |
===Alabama Ancient Savanna Species List=== |
||
[[File:North Slope Santa Ynez Mtns.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45|An Oak Savanna]] |
|||
[[File:Ice_age_fauna_of_northern_Spain_-_Mauricio_Antón.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45|Late [[Pleistocene]] in Northern [[Alabama]]. Left to right: [[Equus ferus|wild horse]], [[Columbian mammoth]], [[reindeer]]; [[Panthera spelaea|American Lion]], [[woolly rhinoceros]]]] |
|||
The [[U.S. state]] of [[Alabama]] from an estimated [[Late Pleistocene|129,000 years ago]] to approximately [[Meghalayan|300 years ago]] was a mix of open [[Grassland|grasslands]] and [[Savanna|savannas]], in contrast to the [[Oak forest|closed canopy forests]] which cover most of the state today. Most of these savannas were a mixture of [[Eastern woodlands of the United States|pine savannas]] and [[Oak savanna|oak savannas]] with areas lacking any trees being basic open grasslands. This habitat was somewhat similar to the modern savannas of Africa although the main difference being the temperature. While summer months were hot and somewhat dry with temperatures ranging from estimated highs of 85°F – 100°F, winter months were cold and wet with lows reaching down to an estimated -20°F – 10°F. The landscape was comprised primarily of a variety of trees growing sparsely over a large area such as [[Longleaf pine|Longleaf Pines]], [[Pinus echinata|Shortleaf Pines]], [[Pinus taeda|Loblolly Pines]], [[Quercus falcata|Southern Red Oaks]], [[Quercus pagoda|Cherrybark Oaks]], [[Quercus velutina|Black Oaks]], [[Quercus marilandica|Blackjack Oaks]], [[Quercus alba|Eastern White Oaks]], [[Quercus muehlenbergii|Chinquapin Oaks]], [[Quercus montana|Chestnut Oaks]], [[Quercus stellata|Post Oaks]], [[Quercus margarettae|Sand Post Oaks]], [[Liquidambar styraciflua|Sweetgums]], [[Liriodendron tulipifera|Poplars]], [[Prunus serotina|Cherries]], and [[Prunus americana|Plums]] The landscape was also dominated by many extinct animal species such as [[Arctodus|Short faced bear]], [[Columbian mammoth]], [[Mastodon|American mastodon]], [[Bison latifrons|Great bison]], [[Wild horse|Wild horses]], [[Camelops|American camels]], [[Megatherium|Giant ground sloths]], [[Dire wolf|Dire wolfs]], [[American lion|American lions]], and the [[Miracinonyx|American cheetah]]. |
The [[U.S. state]] of [[Alabama]] from an estimated [[Late Pleistocene|129,000 years ago]] to approximately [[Meghalayan|300 years ago]] was a mix of open [[Grassland|grasslands]] and [[Savanna|savannas]], in contrast to the [[Oak forest|closed canopy forests]] which cover most of the state today. Most of these savannas were a mixture of [[Eastern woodlands of the United States|pine savannas]] and [[Oak savanna|oak savannas]] with areas lacking any trees being basic open grasslands. This habitat was somewhat similar to the modern savannas of Africa although the main difference being the temperature. While summer months were hot and somewhat dry with temperatures ranging from estimated highs of 85°F – 100°F, winter months were cold and wet with lows reaching down to an estimated -20°F – 10°F. The landscape was comprised primarily of a variety of trees growing sparsely over a large area such as [[Longleaf pine|Longleaf Pines]], [[Pinus echinata|Shortleaf Pines]], [[Pinus taeda|Loblolly Pines]], [[Quercus falcata|Southern Red Oaks]], [[Quercus pagoda|Cherrybark Oaks]], [[Quercus velutina|Black Oaks]], [[Quercus marilandica|Blackjack Oaks]], [[Quercus alba|Eastern White Oaks]], [[Quercus muehlenbergii|Chinquapin Oaks]], [[Quercus montana|Chestnut Oaks]], [[Quercus stellata|Post Oaks]], [[Quercus margarettae|Sand Post Oaks]], [[Liquidambar styraciflua|Sweetgums]], [[Liriodendron tulipifera|Poplars]], [[Prunus serotina|Cherries]], and [[Prunus americana|Plums]] The landscape was also dominated by many extinct animal species such as [[Arctodus|Short faced bear]], [[Columbian mammoth]], [[Mastodon|American mastodon]], [[Bison latifrons|Great bison]], [[Wild horse|Wild horses]], [[Camelops|American camels]], [[Megatherium|Giant ground sloths]], [[Dire wolf|Dire wolfs]], [[American lion|American lions]], and the [[Miracinonyx|American cheetah]]. |
||
The fauna of the state began a sharp decline approximately 12,000 years ago after the [[Younger Dryas impact hypothesis|Younger Dyras impact]]. The impact is theorized to be a comet impact which rapidly cooled the earth followed by rapid heating which killed roughly 66% of all fauna species in the state.[[File:Grand Bay NOAA Nerr0754.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45|A [[Old-growth forest|virgin]] [[Pinus elliottii|Slash pine savanna]] in [[Mississippi]] which is believed to be approximately 110,000 years old ]] |
The fauna of the state began a sharp decline approximately 12,000 years ago after the [[Younger Dryas impact hypothesis|Younger Dyras impact]]. The impact is theorized to be a comet impact which rapidly cooled the earth followed by rapid heating which killed roughly 66% of all fauna species in the state.[[File:Grand Bay NOAA Nerr0754.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45|A [[Old-growth forest|virgin]] [[Pinus elliottii|Slash pine savanna]] in [[Mississippi]] which is believed to be approximately 110,000 years old ]][[File:Ice_age_fauna_of_northern_Spain_-_Mauricio_Antón.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45|Late [[Pleistocene]] in Northern [[Alabama]]. Left to right: [[Equus ferus|wild horse]], [[Columbian mammoth]], [[reindeer]]; [[Panthera spelaea|American Lion]], [[woolly rhinoceros]]]] |
||
Very little of the [[Eastern woodlands of the United States|original savanna]] remains intact today due to [[Human impact on the environment|human interference]], primarily through [[Wildfire suppression|fire suppression]]. Some modern analogs of the ancient savanna can be found in any large area that is cleared due to a dormant [[Soil seed bank|seed bank]] that sprouts after soil disturbance and sunlight exposure or in man made pine forests that is used for timber products. While these timber lands rarely experience fire, regular clearing and disturbance can result in an environment similar to the ancient savanna.[[File:Shortleaf pine.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45|A man-made Shortleaf pine savanna in southern [[Alabama]] ]] |
Very little of the [[Eastern woodlands of the United States|original savanna]] remains intact today due to [[Human impact on the environment|human interference]], primarily through [[Wildfire suppression|fire suppression]]. Some modern analogs of the ancient savanna can be found in any large area that is cleared due to a dormant [[Soil seed bank|seed bank]] that sprouts after soil disturbance and sunlight exposure or in man made pine forests that is used for timber products. While these timber lands rarely experience fire, regular clearing and disturbance can result in an environment similar to the ancient savanna.[[File:Shortleaf pine.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45|A man-made Shortleaf pine savanna in southern [[Alabama]] ]] |
||
Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
Efforts to combat this habit loss and possible extinction are being undertaken by some groups through land management projects aimed at improving conditions favorable to the trees and through the promotion of [[Fire regime|fire regimes]]. |
Efforts to combat this habit loss and possible extinction are being undertaken by some groups through land management projects aimed at improving conditions favorable to the trees and through the promotion of [[Fire regime|fire regimes]]. |
||
Extant - |
Extant - 10 |
||
Extinct in State - 7 |
Extinct in State - 7 |
||
Permanently Extinct - |
Permanently Extinct - 34 |
||
(‡) Permanently Extinct - A native species which is permanently extinct on earth. |
(‡) Permanently Extinct - A native species which is permanently extinct on earth. |
||
Line 45: | Line 45: | ||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:Equus scotti.jpg|180px]] || ''[[Equus scotti]]'' || Scott's Horse (‡) || [[Equus]] || Statewide || Approx.<br/>[[Early Pleistocene|1.8Ma]] – [[Late Pleistocene|12,000]]<br/>years ago || ~10,000 B.C.|| [[Late Pleistocene extinctions|Late Pleistocene]] |
| [[File:Equus scotti.jpg|180px]] || ''[[Equus scotti]]'' || Scott's Horse (‡) || [[Equus]] || Statewide || Approx.<br/>[[Early Pleistocene|1.8Ma]] – [[Late Pleistocene|12,000]]<br/>years ago || ~10,000 B.C.|| [[Late Pleistocene extinctions|Late Pleistocene]] |
||
⚫ | |||
| [[File:Key deer male.jpg|180px]] || ''[[White-tailed deer|Odocoileus virginianus osceola]]'' || Florida Costal White-Tailed Deer || [[Odocoileus]] || Southern Alabama near Florida state line || Approx. [[Northgrippian|7,000]] – [[Meghalayan|Present]] || – || – |
|||
⚫ | |||
|} |
|} |
||
Line 82: | Line 79: | ||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:01 Schwarzbär.jpg|180px]] || ''[[Ursus americanus]]'' || American Black Bear || [[Ursus]] || North and Central Alabama || Approx.<br/>[[Piacenzian|2.6Ma]] – [[Meghalayan|Present]]|| - || - |
| [[File:01 Schwarzbär.jpg|180px]] || ''[[Ursus americanus]]'' || American Black Bear || [[Ursus]] || North and Central Alabama || Approx.<br/>[[Piacenzian|2.6Ma]] – [[Meghalayan|Present]]|| - || - |
||
|} |
|||
==Beaver== |
|||
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;" |
|||
! width = 5% class="unsortable" | '''Image''' |
|||
! width = 30% | '''Scientific Name''' |
|||
! width = 30% | '''Common Name''' |
|||
! width = 15% | '''Genus''' |
|||
! width = 15% | '''Geographic Range''' |
|||
! width = 15% | '''Temporal Range<br/>(Age)''' |
|||
! width = 15% | '''Year of<br/>Extinction''' |
|||
! width = 15% | '''Extinction Event''' |
|||
⚫ | |||
| [[File:American Beaver.jpg|180px]] || ''[[North American beaver|Castor canadensis carolinensis]]'' || Carolina Beaver || [[Castor]] || Statewide || Approx.<br/>[[Messinian|6Ma]] – [[Meghalayan|Present]] || - || - |
|||
⚫ | |||
| [[File:Giant-beaver-fieldmuseum.jpg|180px]] || ''[[Castoroides|Castoroides dilophidus]]'' || Southeastern Giant Beaver || [[Castoroides]] || Statewide || Approx.<br/>[[Gelasian|1.9Ma]] – [[Greenlandian|~10,000]]<br/>years ago || ~9,000 B.C. || [[Holocene extinction|Holocene]] |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
Revision as of 03:21, 14 August 2024
Alabama Ancient Savanna Species List
The U.S. state of Alabama from an estimated 129,000 years ago to approximately 300 years ago was a mix of open grasslands and savannas, in contrast to the closed canopy forests which cover most of the state today. Most of these savannas were a mixture of pine savannas and oak savannas with areas lacking any trees being basic open grasslands. This habitat was somewhat similar to the modern savannas of Africa although the main difference being the temperature. While summer months were hot and somewhat dry with temperatures ranging from estimated highs of 85°F – 100°F, winter months were cold and wet with lows reaching down to an estimated -20°F – 10°F. The landscape was comprised primarily of a variety of trees growing sparsely over a large area such as Longleaf Pines, Shortleaf Pines, Loblolly Pines, Southern Red Oaks, Cherrybark Oaks, Black Oaks, Blackjack Oaks, Eastern White Oaks, Chinquapin Oaks, Chestnut Oaks, Post Oaks, Sand Post Oaks, Sweetgums, Poplars, Cherries, and Plums The landscape was also dominated by many extinct animal species such as Short faced bear, Columbian mammoth, American mastodon, Great bison, Wild horses, American camels, Giant ground sloths, Dire wolfs, American lions, and the American cheetah.
The fauna of the state began a sharp decline approximately 12,000 years ago after the Younger Dyras impact. The impact is theorized to be a comet impact which rapidly cooled the earth followed by rapid heating which killed roughly 66% of all fauna species in the state.
Very little of the original savanna remains intact today due to human interference, primarily through fire suppression. Some modern analogs of the ancient savanna can be found in any large area that is cleared due to a dormant seed bank that sprouts after soil disturbance and sunlight exposure or in man made pine forests that is used for timber products. While these timber lands rarely experience fire, regular clearing and disturbance can result in an environment similar to the ancient savanna.
Many of the ancient savanna tree species are at risk of extinction within the state, possibly within the next 75 - 400 years due to fire suppression and unfavorable growing conditions such as shade cause by thick undergrowth or a closed canopy, and too thick of leaf litter. Trees such as the Longleaf Pine and Shortleaf Pine are expected to be possibly extinct within the next 100 - 250 years while trees such as the Cherrybark Oak, Eastern White Oak, Chinquapin Oak, Chestnut Oak, Post Oak and Sand Post Oak are believed to all be at risk of possible extinction within the next 200 - 400 years. In an even shorter time span the 6 American Plum species are all believed to be at risk of possible extinction within the next 75 - 150 years.
Efforts to combat this habit loss and possible extinction are being undertaken by some groups through land management projects aimed at improving conditions favorable to the trees and through the promotion of fire regimes.
Extant - 10
Extinct in State - 7
Permanently Extinct - 34
(‡) Permanently Extinct - A native species which is permanently extinct on earth.
(†) Extinct in the wild/Extinct in State - A native species which is extinct in the State of Alabama.
Antelope/Deer/Elk/Horses
Image | Scientific Name | Common Name | Genus | Geographic Range | Temporal Range (Age) |
Year of Extinction |
Extinction Event |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cervus canadensis canadensis | Eastern Elk/Wapiti (‡) | Cervus | Central and Eastern Alabama | Approx. 5,000 – 147 years ago |
1877 | Holocene | |
Capromeryx furcifer | Dwarf Pronghorn (‡) | Capromeryx | Statewide | Approx. 5Ma – 11,000 years ago |
~9,000 B.C. | Holocene | |
Odocoileus virginianus osceola | Florida Costal White-Tailed Deer | Odocoileus | Southern Alabama near Florida state line | Approx. 7,000 – Present | – | – | |
Odocoileus virginianus virginianus | Virginia White-Tailed Deer | Odocoileus | Majority of Albama | Approx. 11,000 – Present | – | – | |
– | Equus fraternus | Florida Wild Horse (‡) | Cervus | Southern Alabama | Approx. 1.8ma – 12,000 years ago |
~10,000 B.C. | Late Pleistocene |
Equus scotti | Scott's Horse (‡) | Equus | Statewide | Approx. 1.8Ma – 12,000 years ago |
~10,000 B.C. | Late Pleistocene |
Armadillos
Image | Scientific Name | Common Name | Genus | Geographic Range | Temporal Range (Age) |
Year of Extinction |
Extinction Event |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Glyptotherium texanum | North American Glyptodont/North American Giant Armadillo (‡) | Glyptotherium | Statewide | Approx. 3.6Ma – 11,300 years ago |
~9000 B.C. | Holocene | |
Dasypus novemcinctus | Nine-Banded Armadillo | Dasypus | Statewide | Approx. 50,000 – Present |
– | – |
Bear
Image | Scientific Name | Common Name | Genus | Geographic Range | Temporal Range (Age) |
Year of Extinction |
Extinction Event |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tremarctos floridanus | Florida Short-Faced Bear (‡) | Tremarctos | Central and Southern Alabama | Approx. 250,000 – 11,000 years ago |
~9,000 B.C. | Holocene | |
Ursus americanus floridanus | Florida Black Bear | Ursus | Southern Alabama | Approx. 1.3Ma – Present |
- | - | |
Ursus americanus | American Black Bear | Ursus | North and Central Alabama | Approx. 2.6Ma – Present |
- | - |
Beaver
Image | Scientific Name | Common Name | Genus | Geographic Range | Temporal Range (Age) |
Year of Extinction |
Extinction Event |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Castor canadensis carolinensis | Carolina Beaver | Castor | Statewide | Approx. 6Ma – Present |
- | - | |
Castoroides dilophidus | Southeastern Giant Beaver | Castoroides | Statewide | Approx. 1.9Ma – ~10,000 years ago |
~9,000 B.C. | Holocene |
Bison/Ox
Image | Scientific Name | Common Name | Genus | Geographic Range | Temporal Range (Age) |
Year of Extinction |
Extinction Event |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bison bison | American Bison/American Buffalo (†) | Bison | Statewide | Approx. 30,000 – 254 years ago |
1770 | Holocene | |
Bison antiquus | Ancient Bison (‡) | Bison | Statewide | Approx. 60,000 – 10,000 years ago |
~9,000 B.C. | Holocene | |
Bison latifrons | Great Bison (‡) | Bison | Statewide | Approx. 120,000 – 11,000 years ago |
~10,000 B.C. | Holocene | |
– | Praeovibos priscus | Great Ox (‡) | Praeovibos | ? | Approx. 1.5Ma – 2,700 years ago |
~670 B.C. | Holocene |
Euceratherium collinum | Shrub Ox (‡) | Euceratherium | Statewide | Approx. 1.1Ma – 13,000 years ago |
~11,000 B.C. | Late Pleistocene | |
Bootherium bombifrons | Woodland Ox (‡) | Bootherium | North and Central Alabama | Approx. 780,000 – 11,000 years ago |
~10,000 B.C. | Holocene |
Bobcat/Cats/Cheetahs/Jaguars/Lions/Tigers
Image | Scientific Name | Common Name | Genus | Geographic Range | Temporal Range (Age) |
Year of Extinction |
Extinction Event |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Miracinonyx inexpectatus | American Cheetah (‡) | Miracinonyx | North and Central Alabama | Approx. 2.5Ma – 16,000 years ago |
~14,000 B.C. | Late Pleistocene | |
Panthera onca | American Jaguar (†) | Panthera | Southwest Alabama/Mobile Bay area | Approx. 850,000 – 138 years ago |
1886 | Holocene | |
Panthera atrox | American Lion (‡) | Panthera | Statewide | Approx. 129,000 – 12,800 years ago |
~11,000 B.C. | Late Pleistocene | |
Smilodon fatalis | American Saber-Toothed Tiger (‡) | Smilodon | Statewide | Approx. | |||
Homotherium serum | American Scimitar-Toothed Tiger (‡) | Homotheriun | North and Central Alabama | Approx.
4Ma – 12,000 | |||
Puma concolor couguar | Eastern Mountain Lion (‡) | Puma | Central and Eastern Alabama | Approx. 1.2Ma – 76 years ago |
1948 [note 1] | Holocene | |
Puma concolor couguar | Florida Mountain Lion (†) | Puma | Southern Alabama near Florida state line | Approx. 1.2Ma – 94 years ago |
~1930's | Holocene | |
Herpailurus yagouaroundi | Jaguarundi (†) | Herpailurus | Southern Alabama | ? – ~1900? | ~124? | Holocene | |
Puma concolor couguar | North American Mountain Lion (†) | Puma | Northwestern Alabama | Approx. 1.2Ma – 94 years ago |
~1930's | Holocene | |
Lynx rufus | Red Bobcat | Lynx | Statewide | Approx. 3.2Ma – Present |
- | - |
Camels/Llamas
Image | Scientific Name | Common Name | Genus | Geographic Range | Temporal Range (Age) |
Year of Extinction |
Extinction Event |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Camelops hesternus | American Camel (‡) | Camelops | Statewide | Approx. 3.2Ma – 13,000 years ago |
~11,000 B.C. | Late Pleistocene | |
Palaeolama mirifica | Ancient Llama (‡) | Palaeolama | Central and Southern Alabama | Approx. 1.8Ma – 11,000 |
~9,000 B.C. | Late Pleistocene | |
Hemiauchenia paradoxa | Large-Headed Llama (‡) | Hemiauchenia | Southern Alabama | Approx. 10.3Ma – 12,000 |
~10,000 B.C. | Holocene |
Coyote/Fox/Wolfs
Image | Scientific Name | Common Name | Genus | Geographic Range | Temporal Range (Age) |
Year of Extinction |
Extinction Event |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aenocyon dirus | Dire Wolf (‡) | Aenocyon | Statewide | Approx. 125,000 – 9,500 years ago |
~7,500 B.C. | Holocene | |
Canis rufus | Red Wolf (†) | Canis | Statewide | Approx. 10,000 – 100 years ago |
1920 | Holocene | |
Canis latrans frustor | Southeastern Coyote | Canis | Statewide | Approx. 85,000 – Present |
- | - | |
Urocyon cinereoargenteus | Gray Fox | Urocyon | Statewide | Approx. 3.6Ma – Present years ago |
- | - | |
Vulpes fulva fulva | Eastern American Red Fox | Vulpes | Statewide | Approx. 400,000 – Present |
- | - |
Gomphotheres/Mammoths/Mastodons
Image | Scientific Name | Common Name | Genus | Geographic Range | Temporal Range (Age) |
Year of Extinction |
Extinction Event |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cuvieronius hyodon | American Gomphothere(‡) | Cuvieronius | Southern Alabama | Approx. 1.5Ma – 12,000 years ago |
~10,000 B.C. | Late Pleistocene | |
Mammut americanum | American Mastodon (‡) | Mammut | Statewide | Approx. 8Ma – 11,345 years ago |
~9500 B.C. | Holocene | |
Mammuthus columbi | Columbian Mammoth (‡) | Mammuthus | Statewide | Approx. 1.5Ma – 12,000 years ago |
~10,000 B.C. | Late Pleistocene |
Peccary/Tapirs
Image | Scientific Name | Common Name | Genus | Geographic Range | Temporal Range (Age) |
Year of Extinction |
Extinction Event |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tapirus californicus | California Tapir (‡) | Tapirus | Statewide | Approx. 13Ma – 12,000 years ago |
~10,000 B.C. | Late Pleistocene | |
– | Tapirus merriami | Merriam's Tapir (‡) | Tapirus | Statewide | Approx. 2.8Ma – 12,000 years ago |
~10,000 B.C. | Late Pleistocene |
Dicotyles tajacu | Collared Peccary (†) | Dicotyles | Statewide | ? | ? | ? | |
Platygonus compressus | Flat-Headed Peccary (‡) | Platygonus | Statewide | ? | ? | ? | |
Mylohyus nasutus | Long-Nosed Peccary (‡) | Mylohyus | Statewide | ? | ? | ? | |
Tapirus veroensis | Southeastern Tapir (‡) | Tapirus | Statewide | Approx. 1.8Ma – 11,000 years ago |
~9,000 B.C. | Holocene |
Sloths
Image | Scientific Name | Common Name | Genus | Geographic Range | Temporal Range (Age) |
Year of Extinction |
Extinction Event |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Megalonyx jeffersonii | Jefferson Ground Sloth (‡) | Megalonyx | Statewide | Approx. 5Ma – 12,000 years ago |
~10,000 B.C. | Late Pleistocene | |
Paramylodon harlani | Harland’s Ground Sloth (‡) | Paramylodon | Statewide | Approx. 4.9Ma – 12,000 years ago |
~10,000 B.C. | Late Pleistocene | |
Nothrotheriops shastensis | Shasta Ground Sloth (‡) | Nothrotheriops | Statewide | Approx. 2.6Ma – 11,000 years ago |
~9000 B.C. | Holocene | |
Eremotherium laurillardi | Steppe Giant Ground Sloth (‡) | Eremotherium | Central and Southern Alabama | Approx. 5.3Ma – 10,000 years ago |
~8000 B.C. | Holocene |
Notes
- ^ Killed in 1948 in St. Clair County.