American Southeast

The American Southeast is one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the United States, featuring a rich mosaic of habitats shaped by a warm, humid climate and abundant waterways. From the sprawling wetlands of the Everglades and cypress swamps to longleaf pine forests, coastal marshes, and Appalachian mountain ecosystems, the region supports a remarkable array of flora and fauna. It is home to iconic species such as alligators, black bears, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and countless amphibians and reptiles, many of which are found nowhere else. The Southeast's rivers, like the Mississippi, Suwannee, and Savannah, provide vital corridors for both wildlife and human communities. Seasonal flooding, diverse soil types, and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean all contribute to the region’s biological richness, making it a hotspot for both temperate and subtropical species.