Save the Southern Appalachian spruce-fir rainforest

Save The Southern Appalachian Spruce-Fir Rainforest

By Kamiran Hazelwood

Southern Appalachian spruce–fir rainforest located in the higher elevations in southwestern Virginia, western North Carolina and East Tennessee. The southern Appalachian spruce–fir forest is an ecoregion of the temperate coniferous forest's biome, a type of montane coniferous forest. Bison, elk, and wolves, once common to the Appalachians, disappeared long ago, although elk subsequently have returned to the northern mountains; caribou and moose are still found in the northernmost corners of the region. Scattered through other areas are the black bear, white-tailed deer, wild boar, fox, raccoon, beaver, and numerous other small animals. All areas of Appalachia, from the Gaspé Peninsula to Georgia, support an abundant birdlife. In the Great Smoky Mountains alone some 200 varieties of game birds and songbirds have been recorded. An endangered, tiny tarantula living in moss in the Appalachian Mountains is losing more of its habitat.

Southern Appalachian red spruce-Fraser fir forests are considered one of the top two most endangered ecosystem types in the U.S. and contain multiple federal and state listed rare species, including the federally endangered spruce-fir moss spider and Carolina northern flying squirrel, the rare Weller’s salamander, and Appalachian populations of Saw-whet Owl, Red Crossbills, and more.

Fun Fact the Appalachian Mountains are found on the eastern side of the United States. They are some of the oldest natural landmarks in the US. The mountains provide a rich source of natural resources and spill over to Canada.

The mountain range is massive such that it is divided into three sections, the northern, central and southern. These mountains are a source of many rivers and lakes, home to a variety of plants and animals.

The natural beauty bestowed by this mountain range has earned it a place in so many people’s hearts. Several people visit the mountain for hikes, camping and other recreation activities. It is no wonder then that it is among the most visited natural reserves. These mountains are not only found in the United States but also the southwestern side of Canada. The mountains start from Alabama and end in Newfoundland, Canada.

That is not all about these mountains, the range extends in 14 states making it 2,200 miles long. The states are Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. It is also interesting to note that the mountain range is divided into five geological provinces defined by its formation. One of the provinces is Adirondack, while this forms part of the geological province, they are different mountain ranges.

The other four provinces are the Appalachian Basin, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Piedmont Province and the New England Province.

The Appalachian region is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life due to its vast array of climate and conditions giving the Appalachian Plateau region great biodiversity. To the north are many conifers, such as red spruce and balsam fir which can be seen growing at the northernmost latitudes of the Appalachian region. In the northern sections of the plateau at lower elevations you can find northern hardwoods, such as sugar maple and white oak. In southern Appalachia, growth of sycamore, walnut, and hickory trees are common. It is estimated that there is around 2,000 species of flora within the Appalachia region. Flowers vary due to elevation and climate of the area of Appalachia region. Different types of flowers in the northern and southern sections of the Appalachia. Flowers such as rhododendron, azalea and mountain laurel can be found in southern regions while up north trees will bear serviceberry, redbud, sourwood, and many other.