Detailed project information for Study Plan Number 03016

Branch :	Southern Appalachian Field Branch
Study Plan Number :	03016
Study Title :	How to conduct an all taxa biodiversity inventory of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Starting Date :	10/01/1999
Completion Date :	12/31/2007
Principal Investigator(s) :	Parker, Charles
Primary PI :	Parker, Charles
Telephone Number :	(865) 436-1704
Email Address :	cparker@grsm.nps.gov
SIS Number :	5003977
Primary Program Element :	Ecosystems
Second Program Element :	Ecosystems
Status :	Active
Abstract :	The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most diverse temperate regions in the world. Formed 250-300 million years ago, the Appalachians are some of the older mountains in the world. Ancient soils, untouched by glaciers during the Ice Ages, provide the substrate for the richest floral community found in any National Park. The Park has some of the highest mountains in Eastern North America, with 16 peaks over 1,830 meters (6,000 feet) in elevation. The topographic relief has permitted the Park to serve as a refuge for boreal communities during warmer climatic intervals. The proximity of the Gulf of Mexico provides for abundant, year-round moisture. These factors have contributed to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park having the richest biodiversity of any area in the United States, and one of the richest floras and faunas of any temperate area of comparable size in the world. Unfortunately the Park is suffering severe effects from several non-native forest insects and diseases.
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