Cache River and Cypress Creek Wetlands

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Cache River and Cypress Creek Wetlands

  • Country: 
    United States of America
  • Site number: 
    711
  • Area: 
    24,281 ha
  • Designation date: 
    01-11-1994
  • Coordinates: 
    37°17'N 89°02'W
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

Cache River - Cypress Creek Wetlands. 1/11/94; Illinois; 24,281 ha; 37o17’59”N 89o02’18”W. This Site, located at the juncture of four ecological provinces, contains rare examples of forested swamps dominated by bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) and water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) along the Lower Cache River. The entire Site represents the northernmost extension of the Mississippi Embayment. It is highly biodiverse and supports 103 regionally endangered or threatened species as well as numerous species of waterfowl that feed, rest and nest at the Site. Over 20% of the population of canvasback ducks (Aythya valisineria) pass over the Site, during their autumn and spring migrations on the Mississippi flyway. It also supports over 1% of one of the largest populations of the Illinois Chorus frog (Pseudacris streckeri illinoiensis), and 84 endemic species of fish that make up 44% of the fish documented in the State. Furthermore, flood events in the Cache River basin deliver significant nutrients, organic matter and fish numbers into the larger Ohio and Mississippi river systems. The main threats are associated with the large agricultural areas surrounding the Site and the clearing of land for agriculture. This has led to increased erosion, sedimentation and loss of riparian areas. Site No. 711. Most recent RIS information: 2011.

Administrative region: 
Illinois

  • National legal designation: 
    • Federal Reserve - Frank Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve
    • National Natural Landmarks - Lower Cache River-Buttonland Swamp and Heron Pond
    • National Wildlife Refuge - Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge
  • Last publication date: 
    21-05-2014

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)

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