Okefenokee Swamp Designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site for Biodiversity
The Okefenokee Swamp, located in the southeastern United States, has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This recognition highlights the swamp's exceptional biodiversity and its role as a critical carbon sink. Spanning 1,646 square kilometers across Georgia and Florida, the Okefenokee Swamp is home to a diverse array of species, including 856 plants, 238 birds, 90 reptiles and amphibians, 48 mammals, and 39 fish. The swamp's unique ecosystem provides a refuge for migratory birds and several threatened species, such as the longleaf pine tree, gopher frog, and eastern indigo snake.