9.5 Appalachian conservation efforts

The Appalachian region is a biodiversity hotspot, home to many unique species and ecosystems. Conservation efforts aim to protect these natural treasures while balancing economic needs and cultural traditions tied to the land.

Historically, unsustainable resource extraction devastated Appalachian environments. Today, conservation groups work to preserve forests, rivers, and rare habitats. Challenges include deforestation, mining impacts, and invasive species, but successes in species recovery and protected area growth offer hope.

Importance of Appalachian conservation

• Appalachian region is a global biodiversity hotspot harboring many endemic species found nowhere else on Earth
• Healthy ecosystems provide essential services like clean air, water, and soil that support Appalachian communities and economies
• Conserving Appalachian natural heritage preserves cultural traditions and ways of life closely tied to the land

History of conservation in Appalachia

Early exploitation of resources

Top images from around the web for Early exploitation of resources

• 

  [Cabins and Wagons at Mining Camp] (Getty Museum) View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Child coal miners (1908) crop.jpg - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:W. Va. coal mine 1908.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  [Cabins and Wagons at Mining Camp] (Getty Museum) View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Child coal miners (1908) crop.jpg - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Early exploitation of resources

• 

  [Cabins and Wagons at Mining Camp] (Getty Museum) View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Child coal miners (1908) crop.jpg - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:W. Va. coal mine 1908.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  [Cabins and Wagons at Mining Camp] (Getty Museum) View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Child coal miners (1908) crop.jpg - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Unsustainable logging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries devastated Appalachian forests
• Unregulated mining, especially coal mining, caused severe environmental degradation and pollution
• Overharvesting of game and medicinal plants depleted populations of many species
• Early attitudes viewed natural resources as inexhaustible and ripe for unchecked extraction

Emergence of conservation movement

• Growing recognition of need for conservation to prevent total destruction of Appalachian environment
• Influential leaders like Gifford Pinchot advocated for scientific management of forests and watersheds
• Creation of national forests (Pisgah, Nantahala) and parks (Shenandoah, Great Smoky Mountains) protected large areas
• Grassroots activists organized to oppose environmentally destructive practices and protect beloved landscapes

Major Appalachian ecosystems

Appalachian forests

• Highly diverse deciduous forests blanket mountains, with different community types at various elevations
• Oak-hickory forests dominate lower elevations while spruce-fir forests occur on highest peaks
• Cove hardwood forests featuring tulip poplars, basswoods, and rich herbaceous layers grow in sheltered valleys
• Rare community types include montane pine barrens, shale barrens, and boulderfields

Rivers and watersheds

• Appalachian Mountains are the headwaters for major rivers of eastern U.S. (Tennessee, Ohio, Susquehanna)
• Network of mountain streams provides habitat for diverse aquatic life and recreational opportunities
• Wetlands like bogs and fens host rare plant communities and serve as critical habitat for amphibians
• Healthy rivers and streams are essential for clean drinking water supplies for many cities and towns

Unique habitats and species

• Appalachian region is home to many rare, threatened, and endangered species found only here
• High-elevation spruce-fir forests provide critical habitat for northern flying squirrels and saw-whet owls
• Caves and karst systems harbor endemic invertebrates, salamanders, and bat populations
• Grassy balds and heath balds are unique mountaintop communities supporting rare plants and butterflies

Threats to Appalachian environment

Deforestation and logging

• Clearcutting and unsustainable logging practices lead to loss of forest habitat and diversity
• Poorly managed logging increases erosion, stream sedimentation, and landslide risks
• Conversion of forests to other land uses like mining or development causes permanent losses
• Fragmentation of forests by roads and power lines disrupts wildlife migration and breeding

Coal mining impacts

• Mountaintop removal mining blasts away peaks, buries streams, and destroys entire ecosystems
• Acid mine drainage pollutes rivers and groundwater with heavy metals and low pH
• Mining activities cause air pollution, noise pollution, and human health problems in nearby communities
• Abandoned mine lands pose safety hazards and ongoing environmental contamination issues

Invasive species introduction

• Non-native invasive plants like kudzu, oriental bittersweet, and tree-of-heaven outcompete native vegetation
• Hemlock woolly adelgid and emerald ash borer are invasive insects decimating key Appalachian tree species
• Invasive animals such as feral hogs and Asian carp disrupt food webs and degrade habitat quality
• Climate change is enabling more invasive species to expand their ranges into Appalachian ecosystems

Key conservation organizations

The Nature Conservancy

• Global nonprofit that has protected over 250,000 acres of critical lands and waters in the Appalachians
• Focuses on large-scale land deals and partnerships to create nature preserves and working forests
• Major projects include Cumberland Forest in KY/TN/VA and Nantahala Headwaters in NC
• Conducts scientific research and develops innovative tools to guide Appalachian conservation efforts

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

• Nonprofit dedicated to protecting and managing the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.)
• Works with volunteers and trail clubs to maintain the 2,190-mile footpath and its facilities
• Advocates for policies and funding to conserve the A.T. landscape and viewsheds
• Provides education and outreach to enhance public appreciation for the trail and its environment

Local conservation groups

• Hundreds of local land trusts, watershed associations, and environmental organizations across the region
• Protect special natural areas and resources within their communities through acquisition and easements
• Engage in grassroots advocacy, stewardship projects, and environmental education
• Build support for conservation among diverse constituencies (landowners, businesses, governments)

Strategies for Appalachian conservation

Land protection and preservation

• Establishing new public lands like national/state parks, forests, and wildlife refuges to safeguard ecosystems
• Purchasing private lands or conservation easements to prevent development and ensure long-term protection
• Designating wilderness areas and wild & scenic rivers to maintain the most pristine habitats
• Conserving working lands (timberlands, farmlands) that provide ecological and economic benefits

Sustainable resource management

• Developing and implementing best management practices for logging, mining, and other extractive industries
• Managing forests to enhance structural and species diversity, resilience, carbon storage, and wildlife habitat
• Restoring streams and wetlands degraded by past human activities to improve water quality and flow
• Using prescribed fire and other tools to maintain disturbance-dependent ecosystems like pine-oak forests

Restoration of degraded areas

• Reforesting abandoned minelands and other disturbed sites with native trees and shrubs
• Treating acid mine drainage through constructed wetlands, limestone channels, and other techniques
• Removing invasive species and reintroducing native plants to restore degraded habitats
• Decommissioning and revegetating unnecessary roads to reconnect fragmented landscapes

Challenges in Appalachian conservation

Economic pressures vs environmental protection

• Industries like coal mining, natural gas drilling, and timber production are major employers in many rural areas
• Proposals for new mines, wells, and pipelines often pit short-term economic gains against long-term sustainability
• Policymakers face difficult tradeoffs between resource extraction and preserving natural capital
• Transitioning Appalachian economies to more sustainable and diversified models is an ongoing challenge

Private land ownership issues

• The vast majority (over 80%) of land in Appalachia is privately owned, complicating conservation efforts
• Many landowners are reluctant to permanently protect their properties due to private property rights ethic
• Heir property and absentee landowners create obstacles for conservation transactions and stewardship
• Engaging private landowners is essential for protecting biodiversity and connecting conserved areas

Funding for conservation efforts

• Public funding for land acquisition and conservation programs is often limited and unpredictable
• Philanthropic donations can be critical but are insufficient to meet the scale of need across the region
• Innovative funding mechanisms like carbon markets, mitigation banking show promise but are still developing
• Chronic underfunding of public land management agencies hampers stewardship and restoration work

Successes in Appalachian conservation

Growth of protected areas

• Significant expansion of national forests and parks over the past century (Great Smoky Mountains, Monongahela)
• Ambitious collaborative efforts like the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy protecting large landscapes
• Proliferation of state parks, forests, and natural areas safeguarding special places across the region
• Conservation easements now protect over 2 million acres of private lands in Appalachia from development

Recovery of threatened species

• Reintroduction and recovery efforts have helped stabilize and increase populations of key species
• Bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and ospreys have rebounded thanks to banning of DDT and habitat protection
• Endangered Indiana bats and Virginia big-eared bats are benefiting from gating of key cave hibernacula
• Rare plants like running buffalo clover and Virginia spiraea are expanding with habitat management

Increased public awareness and support

• Greater recognition of the value of Appalachian natural heritage among policymakers and the public
• Popularity of outdoor recreation, especially hiking and camping, builds constituencies for conservation
• Appalachian-based environmental education programs cultivate the next generation of conservationists
• Creative arts and media featuring Appalachian landscapes and biodiversity reach new audiences

Future of Appalachian conservation

Adapting to climate change impacts

• More intense storms, droughts, and fires will stress Appalachian ecosystems in coming decades
• Shifting temperature and precipitation patterns will alter suitable habitat ranges for many species
• Conserving diverse landscapes and connecting habitats will be critical for species adaptation and migration
• Managing for resilience and facilitating ecosystem transitions are key climate adaptation strategies

Balancing development and conservation

• Region is experiencing pressure from suburban sprawl, energy development, and other land use changes
• Smart growth strategies can help concentrate development and minimize impacts on sensitive areas
• Investing in green infrastructure and ecosystem services can support both economic and environmental goals
• Collaborative planning efforts involving diverse stakeholders are needed to find win-win solutions

Engaging Appalachian communities in stewardship

• Long-term success of conservation depends on support and active involvement of local people
• Integrating traditional ecological knowledge and values into conservation strategies shows promise
• Creating economic opportunities linked to sustainable natural resource management can build local support
• Empowering Appalachian youth and underserved communities to become conservation leaders is essential