Tennessee is no stranger to natural disasters. From wildfires to tornadoes, the state has seen it all. And while the damage these events can cause is well-documented, their impact on Tennessee’s wildlife and ecosystems is often overlooked.
The truth is, disasters can have a significant impact on the state’s natural resources. Wildfires, for example, can destroy critical habitat, while tornadoes can uproot trees and damage delicate wetlands.
What’s more, these events can cause long-term changes to the landscape that can be difficult for wildlife to adapt to. For example, a severe drought can lead to the loss of important food sources, while flooding can contaminate water sources and destroy nesting sites.
While it’s impossible to completely protect Tennessee’s wildlife and ecosystems from the impact of disasters, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the damage. For example, creating buffer zones around critical habitat can help to reduce the spread of wildfires, while better management of the state’s forests can help to prevent the kind of large-scale tree loss that can occur during a tornado.
In the end, it’s important to remember that Tennessee’s wildlife and ecosystems are resilient, and with the right protections in place, they can recover from even the most devastating events.
https://www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife/wildlife-management.html
https://www.fws.gov/southeast/news/2013/05/13-05-15-tennessee-wildlife-action-plan-update.pdf
https://www.tnc.org/about-us/our-approach/conservation-strategy