Kentucky is in the southeastern United States and features freshwater ecosystems, such as those found along the Ohio River basin, and forest ecosystems such as the Daniel Boone National Forest. Wildlife and plant species in Kentucky depend on these ecosystems for food and shelter. The ecosystems are also used for human hiking and fishing activities. The state has large urban ecosystems, including Louisville, Lexington and the state capital, Frankfort. One city, Louisville, operates the Go Green Louisville program to make its urban ecosystem environmentally friendly.
The Bluegrass State features freshwater ecosystems in all of its regions. Freshwater ecosystems consists of ponds, lakes, rivers and streams. The northwestern border of Kentucky is the Ohio River, while the southern region of the state includes Lake Cumberland and Lake Kentucky. These water source for these ecosystems is primarily precipitation, such as rain and snow. Freshwater ecosystems are a water source for trees, plants, and wildlife species, including fish, waterfowl and mammals. Kentucky's urban areas depend on freshwater lakes and rivers for water supplies.
A wetlands ecosystem differs from a freshwater ecosystem in that wetlands are land-based, while freshwater ecosystems are based on bodies of water. However, most land surface in wetlands is covered by water. Most wetlands area in Kentucky are bald cypress swamps and riparian areas near rivers. Kentucky has 300,000 acres of wetlands, as of fall 2010, which represents a dramatic decline from the original 1.5 million acres during the 18th century. Loss in wetlands acreage is due to road construction and urbanization. Several organizations, including the Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM), are advocating the preservation of Kentucky's wetlands by raising awareness of their decline.
Kentucky's forest ecosystems make up the largest portion of the state with nearly 12 million acres. The largest forested areas are Daniel Boone National Forest in the southeastern region of the state and Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in western Kentucky. Many of Kentucky's state forests feature hiking trails and provide protection to wildlife from hunters. The Kentucky Division of Forestry, a state government department, offers educational programs and classes to provide information regarding the state's forests.
An urban ecosystem is an area primarily populated by humans and has vast urban development, such as buildings and parks. Environmentally friendly urban ecosystems have a balance of man-made structures and recreation areas with trees and flowers. The largest urban ecosystems in Kentucky are Louisville, located on the Ohio River, and Lexington. These cities offer urban recreation areas, including the University of Kentucky Arboretum in Lexington and the riverside Shawnee Park in Louisville. According to the City of Louisville website, Louisville is making strides to become a "Green City" by installing sidewalk recycling bins and developing green roofs, or roofs with plants on them.
