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September 8, 2007

Habitat takes hit

Lake wildlife suffers in drought

By David Lazenby

Low water levels at Smith Lake have not only impacted the lifestyles of people who find recreation on its waters, but have affected the wildlife which rely on the lake for shelter and sustenance.

Monica McCravy of the Alabama Forestry Commission in Cullman County said trees around the lake are suffering from this summer’s minimal rainfall as much as trees in other areas of the county.

“You’d think right there by the lake they’d be okay,” she said. “But a lot of them are not...The lake bed is pretty solid so a lot of [water] doesn’t seep out.”

McCravy said she has received numerous calls from area residents concerned about trees that have changed colors and are losing leaves.

“That’s a tree survival thing because [trees] have to feed those leaves,” she said. “If they let them go they don’t have to feed them...I’m not looking for a pretty fall at all.”

McCravy said although she expects many trees will not survive the drought, she is recommending that trees suspected to be dead be left alone for now since they may recover this spring, depending on how much rain the area receives throughout the winter.

Wildlife in and around Smith Lake is also suffering from this year’s drought and spring freeze. The extreme conditions have caused a lack of vegetation which many animals need for food.

“The drought in and of itself has hurt a lot of forage,” said Ron Eakes, a wildlife biologist for District 1 of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. “A lot of early fall foods are limited.”

Eakes said animals with a small home range have been particularly impacted.

“They’re going to have a tougher year to get through,” he said. “Depending on what the prey numbers are doing, then the predator numbers kind of follow along behind.”

Phil Edema, a fisheries biologist for the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, said the drought has had almost no affect on fish at Smith Lake because of their adaptability.

“Mother Nature has played into their hands pretty well,” he said. “As long as they have adequate water they’re going to be fine.”

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