Amistad National Recreation Area - Nature and Science

Amistad National Recreation Area by National Parks Service

Amistad National Recreation Area supports incredible biodiversity due to its location at the juncture of three Texas ecoregions. The close proximity of these areas allow very different plant and animal species to occur within the Recreation Area.

The east side of Lake Amistad is surrounded by hills covered in the shrubs and small acacia trees of the southwest Texas coastal plains, the Tamaulipan Chaparral ecoregion. Yet the western canyons of the lake are covered by the yuccas, cactuses and creosote typical of the Big Bend region, the Chihuahuan Desert. And the influence of the third ecoregion, the Edwards Plateau, is shown in the northern parts of the lake where you can find juniper trees and scrub oaks.

The waters of the lake itself provide a home for numerous other species and nourishes the roots of river forests within its canyon walls. Use of the lake for human recreation is enjoyed year round. However, many animals utilize the area only during seasonal migrations. Thousands of Monarch butterflies roost on park lands before continuing their journey to wintering sites in Mexico. Many waterfowl species spend their winters on the lake before returning north in the spring. Even endangered and threatened species, such as the Interior Least Tern, use the peaceful surroundings for breeding purposes. Amistad has implemented several projects in order to monitor the natural resources of the lake and surrounding areas. An extensive study of avian species, yearly Monarch tagging, and monthly water quality testing provide invaluable data. By monitoring changes, park staff can quickly take measures to conserve the natural resources and beauty of the Amistad National Recreation Area.