From the cypress-filled bayous and swamps of the coastline to the prairies and majestic oak and pine forests of the uplands, the Gulf Coast region is known for its incredibly varied, unique, and intricate landscapes. These habitats support a fascinating variety of trees, understorey plants, and aquatic vegetation, as well as abundant and unusual wildlife and birdlife. The flora and fauna of these habitats together with their physical environment comprise a number of important Gulf Coast ecosystems.

The Gulf Coast's diverse ecosystems, often taken for granted, provide enormous economic benefits to the region. Many goods and resources upon which the region depends—for example, seafood and forestry products—are harvested from the region's waters and forests. These natural habitats also provide life sustaining "ecosystem services" such as water purification, natural flood damage control, and pollination of crop plants. Finally, natural areas are vitally important because of their aesthetic value. Millions of people visit parks and preserves each year to observe wildlife, explore nature, hunt and fish, experience the beauty of the landscape, and rejuvenate the soul. It is difficult to put a price tag on this invaluable benefit.

Unfortunately, many of the region's unique and beautiful natural areas are under severe pressure from human activities. Population growth, engineering of natural water flows, wetland drainage, poor land management, overexploitation, habitat fragmentation, and water and air pollution have already degraded and destroyed many of the Gulf Coast's natural ecosystems resulting in species losses and failures in ecosystem function. Climate change is an additional stressor that will interact with, and magnify, these other human stresses, likely causing further damage to the region's vulnerable ecosystems.

In this section, we highlight a few of the unique and highly vulnerable ecosystems in the Gulf Coast region. We invite you to visit these special places and learn more about them.