The Great Smoky Mountains

My Project will cover The Great Smoky Mountains and the areas surrounding it. In the second Image below, I have highlighted three points of interest to further investigate, allowing myself to further compare and contrast their geological attributes (such as soils, climates and landforms), the sites I have selected are; Mount Le Conte (the orange dot to the North East), Cades Cove (The green dot to the West), and Fontana Lake (the purple dot to the South). 

Major Landforms and/or distinguishing attributes found within these three areas would be Mountainous locations, numerous creeks and small rivers, sharp slopes, waterfalls, and of course, a thick and blue tinted mist that reminds one of smoke. These landscapes are nearly always undergoing some form of change, specifically due to the high elevation and abundance of water that crashes against its own rocky slopes. 

The Climates located here are foreshadowed by it's landscape. Because of the abundance of living diversity and high amounts of water, precipitation is moderately common here, with the lowest (being found in Cades Cove during October) reaching about 56 inches of rain annually (Townsend Climate Center) and the highest amounts (located at Mount Le Conte) reaching about 73.5 annually (Robbinsville Climate Center). The temperature itself within this region is not as drastic as one might think, which once again is most likely due to the high amounts of water and fauna, the coldest it gets would be about 25°F (Le Monte) during the winter, the warmest being 73°F (Fontana Lake) during the summer. 

The three dominant soils found here are Luftee Soil In Mount Le Conte, Lonon Soil found in Cades Cove, and Junaluska Soil found amongst the shore of Lake Fontana. 

The Fauna and Flora located in the "Smokies" are incredibly diverse thanks to three primary reasons: abundant water sources, drastic elevation shifts (primarily from mountains), and climate/weather. (“Biodiversity in the Smoky Mountains”). This national park supports a litany of biodiversity, and is certainly one of the most biologically complex places on the North American Continent. The three regions within the park that I have chosen as an example (Mount Le Conte, Cades Cove, and Fontana Lake) support this claim. 

Starting with Mount Le Conte, this area is extremely high in elevation, and due to this only a select few species can confidently exist at this point. Examples of such species would be the Barred Owl and the Morning-Glory Prominent Moth. 

Barred Owls (Strix varia) roost quietly in forest trees during the day, though they can occasionally be heard calling in daylight hours. At night they hunt small animals, especially rodents. Barred Owls live in large, mature forests made up of both deciduous trees and evergreens, often near water. They nest in tree cavities. 

The higher elevation and forest canopy found at Mount Le Conte allows the Barred Owl a hunting ground, and has adapted to better blend in with this environment. 

Certain variables that would be harming their total distribution capabilities would most likely be global warming or lack of food in dense, competitive locations. 

(“Barred Owl Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology”)

The Morning-Star Prominent (Schizura ipomaeae) is common in hardwood forests throughout much of North America.  In the Pacific Northwest, it is particularly common in coastal rainforests, oak woodlands, mixed hardwood forests at low elevations west of the Cascades, and in riparian zones at low elevations east of the Cascades.

                                                                                                                                                                        

         

                                  

The most obvious adaptation that has helped the Morning-star prominent thrive in this region would be its natural, brownish camouflage, which helps in blend in nicely to the wooded areas surrounding it. The most limiting factor that halts its distribution would most likely be climate and range.  

                                                                                            (“Morning-Glory Prominent Schizura Ipomoeae Doubleday, 1841 |

                                                                                                                                                             Butterflies and Moths of North America”)

For Cades Cove I've chosen the Black Oak Tree and the American Toad to represent certain species that thrive in this region. 

Black oak (Quercus velutina)

is a member of the red oak group with lobed leaves. This is a Kentucky native. In early spring, velvety red leaves emerge from the velvety winter buds. The bicolored, mature leaves contrast nicely with unique black, furrowed bark. Fall foliage is orange or red. Native black oak is most frequently found in dry, poor areas, as it prefers rich soil. Its seedlings, however, will not survive in shade so the black oak is often relegated to poor soils in native areas.

The Black Oak's strongest adaptation to help it survive in this region would be its very prominent tap root, that ensures this species' survival under poor growing conditions. Its largest variable inhibiting its range distribution would most likely be weather and climate. 

            (“Black Oak | Department of Horticulture”)

American toads (Anaxyrus americanus) have short legs, stout bodies, and thick skins with noticeable warts. These warts can be colored red and yellow. The warty skin contains many glands that produce a poisonous milky fluid, providing these toads with excellent protection from many of their predators. This poison is only harmful if it is swallowed or if it gets in the eyes, but it can make many animals very sick (including humans)

As one could surmise from above, its poison production glands are among the American toad's primary adaptions implemented for survival, the other would be its natural camouflage. The main variable preventing the American Toad to spread its range most likely has to do with other predators that would hunt down the amphibious species. 

                                                                                                                                                                 (“Anaxyrus Americanus (American Toad)”)

Finally, for Lake Fontana I have chosen the Flora eastern Hemlock and the a local fish referred to as a Warpaint Shiner.

Native to the eastern United States, the eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) resembles a large Christmas tree with its broadly pyramidal, pendulous branches and fine, dark-green needles on widely spaced branches that give it a delicate, lacy feel. The tree even has abundant brown cones that hang from branches like small ornaments. 

The strongest adaptations for survival the eastern Hemlock possesses would be its it abundant pinecone-making ability and its relatively tough bark. Heat, drought, and intense winter winds would prevent further distribution of the Eastern hemlock.

            (“Eastern Hemlock | The Morton Arboretum”)

Warpaint shiners (Luxilus coccogenis) are easily recognized by the presence of their "warpaint-like" coloration. Both male and female adults and large juveniles exhibit a prominent orangish-red bar on the anterior opercle, and orangish-red areas on the dorsal fin base and on the snout. Warpaint shiners inhabit moderate to high gradient creeks, streams, and rivers with cool, clear water. They avoid very rapid flows and are commonly found in large pools and on the edges of riffles. 

                                                                                                  

For the Warpaint Shiner, its primary beneficial adaptation would be its cooperative strategy (as it swims in schools) and its keen eyesight. Predation seems to be one of its largest inhibitors to expanding its range. 

        

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           (Lowe)     

Characterizing Disturbance Regimes:

High Wind Scenarios:                   

Beginning with storms or extreme high wind situations, these types of disturbances are relatively uncommon in the Smokies, only resulting in real damage every couple of Springs or so.

These storms (including tornadoes) uproot trees and dying shrubbery, allowing new flora to take its place, as well as leaving the uprooting flora to be used as sustenance by the new plants that took its place.

Human Interaction, specifically logging and Climate Change: 

It is no secret that human beings have influenced natural geography to better suit our needs, this is typically done at the expense of other living organisms. The best examples of this would be logging (which occurs all across North America),and climate change. Not all of our efforts are/were ill intentioned however, such as fire suppression. While this was first implemented to help forests, many people began to see the error in this hasty, but good intentioned public guideline, which brings up to out third disturbance regime native to the Smoky Mountains.   

Natural Fire Regimes: 

Finally is the almighty fire regime. Fire is particularly helpful to nearly all environments it occurs in when it comes to long term thinking and observing. Fire allows for other organisms to grow in the places of older, more controlling species. As well as clear up the grounds to allow predator and prey alike to benefit from less dense foliage.. .

    While this national and natural treasure is known for its smoke-like mists, another vapor plagues its range, and it is caused by human beings. "Air pollution is shrinking scenic views, damaging plants, and degrading high elevation streams and soils in the Great Smoky Mountains (National Park Service)". Research and monitoring from within the park shows that airborne pollutants originate primarily from outside the Region, and these pollutants are degrading park resources and visitor enjoyment. The burning of fossil fuels—coal, oil, and gas—causes most of the pollution. Primarily from nearby pollution power plants, factories, and automobiles. 

    However, I do believe there is an argument for pollution residing in the park as well, especially as the park becomes more and more of a quick tourist attraction, and less of a region of natural wilderness. As the Smoky Mountains forge new roads, build new structures for modern living, and allow large scale hotels and restaurants to be implemented within the grounds, air pollution will continue to rise, especially due to heavy vehicle traffic within the park. Besides as the influential Edward Abbey once said (a robust author and staunch defender of the green): "Wilderness and motors are incompatible and the former can best be experienced, understood and enjoyed when the machines are left behind where they belong -- on the superhighways and in the parking lots, on the reservoirs and in the marinas. (Abbey 54)” 

    

Image provided by the National Geographic Society

 

 Air pollution can best be summarized as the     unfortunate biproduct of human energy use and     production. The airborne pollutants that are     released into the atmosphere are detrimental not     only to human health, but the planet's as     well (Mackenzie). Therefore air pollution harms     not just the Great Smoky Mountains, but the     individuals visiting the park too. The results     of concentrated regions of air pollution     (specifically pertaining to the natural     environment) are things such as acid rain     poisoning local flora, global warming, and     eutrophication, which is condensed nitrogen in     local water sources due to air pollution that harm     aquatic life (Rinkesh). 

        Out of my chosen species it is clear that the The Morning-Star Prominent (Schizura ipomaeae) moth and the Warpaint shiner (Luxilus coccogenis) face the largest threat in terms of air pollution, not to say that the other species chosen are free from its toxic effects. Starting with our small, flying, light addicted friend, the Morning-Star Prominent could face a potential drastic decline from air pollution due to lack of subsistence (air pollution is incredibly harmful to flora in concentrated doses) and their ability to locate said subsistence. "The transport of chemical signals in the air used by pollinators to locate flowers and other organisms may be hindered or even destroyed by chemical reactions with pollutant (Thimmegowda et al. 20657)." Warpaint shiners face possible vulnerability from air pollution due to a variable mentioned previously, eutrophication, which concentrates an unmanageable amount of nitrogen within the system of this fish species.  

        Connected to air pollution is the inevitable issue of drastic climate change, specifically as annual temperatures react to negative human byproducts. Using the RCP 8.5 climate change scenario it is clear that as carbon emissions continue to accelerate throughout the region, the annual mean temperatures of the Smoky Mountains will increase as well, showing a positive correlation. 

Image From "Climate Explorer" 

As the smokies continue to rise in temperature, we will see a more fire prone environment due to a possible decrease in water availability, as well as a noticeable decrease in biodiversity as more species will have to revert to certain niches they excel at. The Black oak (Quercus velutina) tree (as mentioned above) will especially be at risk as its range will be severely effected by the possible increase in competition due to a warmer environment. Storms will become more apparent within the region as temperature increases, and the high-wind disturbance regime will become a more frequent scenario. 

    As for what needs to be done in order to properly conserve this national park, and my three sites located within it (Mt. Le Conte, Cade's Cove, and Fontana Lake), I believe a larger and more implemented revert towards minimal human interaction is required. Visitors should absolutely be able to visit the park, but they should have to leave their vehicles on the outside and hike/bike in, or if they are unable to do so, a shuttle service should be provided. Only essential buildings (such as clinics, ranger/fire stations, and energy-efficient lodgings) should be permitted within the park. Gas stations, hotels, chain restaurants, etc. should be only found outside of the park ranges in order to keep human pollution separate from the biogeographically diverse location that is the Smoky Mountains. Businesses around the Great Smoky Mountains should be somehow incentivized in order to practice more energy efficient ways of production to help inhibit some of the air pollution migrating towards the park. In order to restore the natural resilience within this region, I propose that all we have to do, is take a big step back, and let Mother Nature run her course. 

    Jim Dodge (a renown american author) once mentioned in a recollection towards to Gary Snyder, an important spokesman for the concerns of communal living and ecological activism, as well as an Pulitzer prize recipient for poetry while he was discoursing with some college students: "Nature bats last, is eminently capable of caring for herself against destructive human foolishness, and no doubt will remain long after our demise. Nature doesn't need us to save her"... Someone called out, "then why work to stop the destruction?" Gary grinned hugely, leaned slightly forward and replied without a quiver of hesitation: "Because its a matter of character … and its a matter of style (Snyder 6)."

Source:

Geology & LANDFORMS. (2020). Retrieved March 02, 2021, from https://englishgreatsmokymountains.weebly.com/geology--landforms.html

National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). (2010). Data tools: 1981-2010 Normals. Retrieved March 02, 2021, from https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/datatools/normals

National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). (2010). Mount Leconte, TN US Normals monthly Station Details. Retrieved March 02, 2021, from https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/datasets/normal_mly/stations/GHCND:USC00406328/detail

National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). (2010). Robbinsville 1 S, NC US Normals monthly Station Details. Retrieved March 02, 2021, from https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/datasets/normal_mly/stations/GHCND:USC00317346/detail

National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). (2010). Townsend 5 S, TN US Normals monthly Station Details. Retrieved March 02, 2021, from https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/datasets/normal_mly/stations/GHCND:USC00409065/detail

SoilWeb. (2010). Retrieved March 02, 2021, from https://casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/gmap/

Sources for component 2:

“Anaxyrus Americanus (American Toad).” Animal Diversity Web, 2002, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Anaxyrus_americanus.

“Barred Owl Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.” All About Birds, 2019, www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/id.

“Biodiversity in the Smoky Mountains.” Visit My Smokies, 9 Nov. 2018, www.visitmysmokies.com/blog/smoky-mountains/new-species-in-great-smoky-mountains-national-park/#:~:text=The%20main%20reasons%20the%20Smokies,and%2068%20species%20of%20mammals!

“Black Oak | Department of Horticulture.” College of Food, Agriculture, and Environment, 2021, www.uky.edu/hort/Black-Oak.

“Eastern Hemlock | The Morton Arboretum.” The Morton Arboretum, 2021, www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/eastern-hemlock.

Lowe, Travis. “Luxilus Coccogenis (Warpaint Shiner).” Animal Diversity Web, 2020, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Luxilus_coccogenis.

“Morning-Glory Prominent Schizura Ipomoeae Doubleday, 1841 | Butterflies and Moths of North America.” Butterflies and Moths of North America, 2021, www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Schizura-ipomoeae.

“THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK.” Science, vol. 72, no. 1868, 1930, pp. 392–93. Crossref, doi:10.1126/science.72.1868.392.

Sources for component 3: 

Abbey, Edward. Desert Solitaire. Touchstone, 1990.

“Climate Explorer.” The Climate Explorer, Climate Explorer, 2018, crt-climate-explorer.nemac.org.

Mackenzie, Jillian. “Air Pollution: Everything You Need to Know.” NRDC, 1 Nov. 2016, www.nrdc.org/stories/air-pollution-everything-you-need-know.

National Geographic Society. “Air Pollution 101.” National Geographic Society, 17 Dec. 2020, www.nationalgeographic.org/video/air-pollution-101.

National Park Service. “Air Quality - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service).” National Park Service, 7 Nov. 2019, www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/air-quality.htm.

Rinkesh. “Causes, Effects and Impressive Solutions to Air Pollution.” Conserve Energy Future, 17 June 2020, www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-air-pollution.php.

Snyder, Gary. The Gary Snyder Reader: Prose, Poetry, and Translations. Counterpoint, 2000.

Thimmegowda, Geetha G., et al. “A Field-Based Quantitative Analysis of Sublethal Effects of Air Pollution on Pollinators.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 117, no. 34, 2020, pp. 20653–61. Crossref, doi:10.1073/pnas.2009074117.