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Texas GEMS

Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Armand Bayou Coastal Preserve & Nature Center

Candy Wildlife Management Area

Christmas Bay Coastal Preserve

Clive Runnels Family Mad Island Marsh Preserve

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

Freeport Liberty Ship Reef Complex

Guadalupe Delta Wildlife Management Area

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge

Laguna Madre

Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area

McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge

Murphree Wildlife Management Area

Mustang Island State Park

North Deer Island Sanctuary

Padre Island National Seashore

Scenic Galvestion Inc. Nature Preserve

Sea Rim State Park

Shamrock Island Management Complex

South Bay Coastal Preserve

Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge

Welder Flats Wildlife Management Area

Site Information Point of Contact(s)

Mark Kramer
Armand Bayou Nature Center
P.O. Box 77258
Houston, TX 77258
Phone: (281) 474-2551
Fax: (281) 474-2552
Email: mark@abnc.org

 

TEXAS GEMS -ARMAND BAYOU COASTAL PRESERVE & NATURE CENTER

 

Site Description

Armand Bayou Nature Center & Preserve covering a total of 2800 acres (Preserve = 300 acres; Nature Center = 2500 acres) is a unique, valuable ecosystem. It is of high ecological and socioeconomic value to the area. It is located southeastern Harris County, along Armand Bayou,

Area of Influence:

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes;4c- Upland Prairies and Woods (Ecoregions and Sub-regions of Texas). 12040204- West Bay/West Galveston Bay/Armand Bayou, (USGS Hydrologic Units, Texas Maps), Watershed includes southern portion of the City of Pasadena, with main channel of Armand Bayou running just off Red Bluff Road to reach mouth at Clear Lake.

Ecological and Cultural Characteristics

Habitat Type:

The preserve is within the Gulf Prairies and Marshes ecological region of Texas. The region is characterized by large prairies transected by narrow wooded stream bottoms with scattered fresh and saline lakes, ponds, and marshes. The brackish water bayou bounded by riparian hardwood forest is surrounded by 900 acres of remnant coastal prairie currently under restoration.

Rare/Endangered Species:

The species best known in the preserve and nature center are the American alligator and osprey, along with extensive areas of native prairie, including big bluestem, little bluestem, and Indiangrass.

Little bluestem-brownseed paspalum series (a tallgrass grassland)

Breeding/Nursery Area:

Nursery breeding habitat for fish and wildlife of the Galveston estuarine complex. The bayou is an important marine nursery area for finfish and shellfish.  The area also supports numerous breeding birds and mammals, plus reptiles and amphibians.

Forage Area:

For aquatic organisms - 300 acres located within Armand Bayou Coastal Preserve. For terrestrial organisms - 2500 acres within Nature Center, plus the use of the 300 acres within the preserve.

Migratory Species:

Important stopover and breeding area for neo-tropical migrant birds. Important wintering area for northern migrant bird species. Much fish life migration in and out of the bayou system.

Geomorphic Features:

Tidally influenced component of the Galveston Bay system, Armand Bayou is a tributary of Clear Lake. The riparian forest is all floodplain.

Ecosystem Function:

The Bayou and its watershed support biota and remnant habitats that were present during a more pristine era. It also functions as a flood control system, riparian habitat, and water quality mitigation area.

Uniqueness of Natural Community:

The Bayou’s uniqueness is that of a remnant natural system still existing within a heavily developed, densely populated region. Fragments of relic coastal prairie and riparian woodland remain along its watershed.

Archaeological and Cultural Significance:

Several significant Native American sites on property.

Current and Potential Use of the Site Recreational Use:

Fishing, crabbing, hiking, and birding.

Commercial Use:

Fishing, crabbing, and some minimal logging and hay cutting as part of prairie restoration efforts.

Management Status

Land Ownership:

Property owned by Harris County and leased to Armand Bayou Nature Center, a non-profit organization, to manage as a nature preserve and educational facility for the public. Armand Bayou Coastal Preserve is leased from the General Land Office (GLO) by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

Existing Designations:

One of four Texas coastal preserves set up by the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

Management Status:

Much of the property is left in its natural state with no further management. Management includes prairie restoration, marsh restoration on the bayou, wetlands enhancement and restoration where appropriate.

Existing Monitoring Activities:

Seagrass projects, water quality, fisheries monitoring.

Site Viability

Threats to Ecological Integrity:

Channelization and development projects within the watershed.

Management Potential:

Prairie management must be continued aggressively or natural grasslands will be lost to non-native plant encroachment (Chinese tallow).

Source of Information

Management Plan for Armand Bayou Coastal Preserve, Harris County, Texas


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