Signs of Hope After Katrina 

Gopher Tortoise Habitat Post Katrina
© Dave Borland

Change in Tree Canopy Enhances Native Plant Life

While the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina still looks all too new along south Mississippi’s 80-mile coast, a natural cycle of habitat rebirth is taking place at Nature Conservancy preserves. 

Damage assessments completed immediately after Katrina with the help of Conservancy staff from around the country revealed thousands of downed trees, erosion, and an increased need to conduct prescribed burns and remove invasive, non-native plants. High winds snapped off treetops or tore up roots of 70 percent of the longleaf pines at the Conservancy’s Willie Farrell Brown Preserve in Hancock County.

However, damage to the preserve may actually be benefiting gopher tortoises. This threatened species was once common in sandy forested soils of south Mississippi where there is pine canopy and an open forest floor. As the forests have become more overgrown due to a lack of prescribed fire and infestations of non-native plants, the gopher tortoise’s numbers have declined.

By knocking down trees at Willie Farrell Brown Preserve, Hurricane Katrina’s winds opened up pine tree canopies. Since Katrina, more sunlight has been able to reach the ground and in turn enhance the growth of food sources, such as gopher apple and other native grasses, preferred by the gopher tortoise. The Conservancy has also doubled its capacity to implement its prescribed fire plan at Willie Farrell Brown Preserve to battle invasive species, reduce pine beetle infestations and encourage native plant species to grow.

This new beginning taking shape for gopher tortoise habitat will also benefit the hundreds of other species that rely on gopher tortoise tunnels, as the Conservancy aides natures’ natural ability to recover.

For more information on preserves in South Mississippi, please contact Rebecca Stowe, Director of Stewardship.

The Nature Conservancy

Mississippi Stewardship Program
138 Main Street Merrill
Lucedale, MS  39452
(601) 947-3111