Bayhead

Bayhead or baygall is a swamp habitat where bay laurels predominate.[1] The name baygall is derived from sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) and sweet gallberry holly (Ilex coriacea).[2] The baygall swamp is also known as a forested seep. Many baygall swamps can be found in margins of creeks with little or no creek banks or depressions in flatwood areas. The swamps can be described as "distinct wetland communities in the Natural Communities of Louisiana".[3] Most baygall swamps are semi-permanently saturated, or flooded. Forested seeps are typically mixed with pine-hardwood forests, mostly on hill sides. Some herbs can be found in this area such as various Sphagnum.

For other uses, see Bayhead (disambiguation).
A baygall in the Big Thicket National Preserve, Jack Gore Baygall Unit, Hardin Co. Texas; 6 November 2019

Geomorphology and hydrology

The characteristics of a bayhead swamp are mostly broad, shallow drains, which can be found near margins of creeks with little or no creek banks.[3] Most are also near closed to nearly closed canopies.[4] Baygalls often form at the base of slopes on the outer margins of floodplains, away for the main river or stream channel. Sometime referred to as acid bog baygalls, baygalls typically have very high pH levels. Levels as high as 4.5 are not uncommon in the baygalls of the Big Thicket region of Southeast Texas, USA.[5] A baygall may be no more than a small pool or they can be a mile across. The Jack Gore Baygall Unit of the Big Thicket National Preserve at 12 square miles, is said to be is the largest in the world.[6]

Species of conservation concern

The baygall swamps have around 20 animal species which are considered to be endangered.[4]

Species of conservation concern
Southern dusky salamander
Gulf Coast mud salamander
American woodcock
Yellow-billed cuckoo
Wood thrush
Yellow-throated vireo
Northern parula
Prothonotary warbler
Swainson's warbler
Kentucky warbler
Hooded warbler
Painted bunting
Rusty blackbird
Orchard oriole
Pepper and salt skipper
Falcate orangetip
Harvester
Southeastern shrew
Southeastern myotis
Long-tailed weasel

References
  1. Fiona Sunquist; Mel Sunquist; Les Beletsky (2008). Florida. Interlink Books. p. 19. ISBN 1566566517.
  2. Ajilvsgi, Geyata (1979) Wild Flowers of the Big Thicket: East Texas, and Western Louisiana. Texas A&M University Press. College Station, Texas 361 pp. ISBN 0-89096-064-X
  3. Natural Communities of Louisiana. "Bayhead Swamp/Forested Seep". Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
  4. "Bayhead Swamp/Forested Seep" (PDF). Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  5. Watson, Geraldine Ellis (2006) Big Thicket Plant Ecology: An Introduction, Third Edition (Temple Big Thicket Series #5). University of North Texas Press. 152 pp. ISBN 978-1574412147
  6. Peacock, Howard (1994) Nature Lover's Guide to the Big Thicket. Texas A&M. University Press. College Station, Texas. 169 pp. ISBN 0-89096-589-7


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