Part 1
The Upper Gauley
The Upper Gauley has an array of species, from vegetation to animals. West Virginia is rich with different tree species, making it a key state in dendrology. Some of the most common trees in West Virginia are the American Sycamore, the Sugar Maple, the Red Maple, and the White Oak. Elevation makes a huge impact on the type of species that surround the Upper Gauley, with spruce, fir, and pine all offering specific niches for creatures large and small (USDA FS, 2013).
The most common animals found in the Upper Gauley are the American black bear, the Bobcat, the Timber Rattlesnake, the Opossum, and the White-Tailed Deer (DNR, 2021). The animal species in West Virginia are so diverse due to the vast amounts of open forests throughout the state, however several of them are listed as federally endangered and protected. Because of the lack of humans in the area, it is very common to find mammals throughout the river’s trek.
In addition to mammals, the bird population is amazing. There are over 300 species of birds throughout the state of West Virginia (DNR, 2021). The Northern Cardinal is the state bird, and some other common species include the Downy Woodpecker, the American Goldfinch, and the Northern Flicker (Home and Gardenia, 2021). In my own time spent here, I have seen many nests of Bald eagles as well.
The Eastern Redbud is one of the first trees to come to life in early spring, and early settlers often used this as a sign that it was time to plant crops (WV DF, 2021). (Figure 1). Another particular species that is common in the Upper Gauley is the Sugar Maple. (Figure 2). Each of these trees can be found by the rivers edge, surrounding the Upper Gauley. These trees love the moist, rich soil and thrive here. (Wilkson-Kokes et al, 2013).
(Figure 1.) (Figure 2.)
Coal mines are one ecological issue in the state of West Virginia, and one way to repair this damage is the planting of trees to replenish the soils. These trees help replace topsoil materials in reclaimed mine sites, in addition to providing shade for understory growth (Wilkson-Kokes et al, 2013). In a study by Wilkson-Kokes et al, hardwood trees were used in areas throughout the state of West Virginia, in part with the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. The Sugar Maple and the Eastern Redbud both played a part in this study, as well as several other species of hardwoods that are native to West Virginia.
The Eastern Redbud and Sugar Maple have adapted to wetter soils, which make it more difficult for them to find a place by the Summersville Lake or in the Lower Gauley. The land by the Summersville Dam is not as rich due to the dryer season of winter. The Lower Gauley experiences more drought-like conditions, as the dam holds back waters and releases pressure on occasion. In addition, both the Summersville Lake and the Lower Gauley are heavy economic locations that are full of tourism opportunities. This human presence (of camping, walking, hiking, rafting, defecating, and trashing) can dull the soils, making it less likely for these tree species to thrive here.
Summersville Lake
Much of the same species of mammals, birds, and other wildlife that are found in the Upper Gauley are also found around Summersville Lake and its dam. Summersville Lake is a hotspot for tourism, including boating, fishing, and camping. Built by the Corps of Engineers in 1960-1966, the lake is maintained by the federal government.
There is not much research about this area that supports any claim of deteriorated tree species. However with the amount of human-environment interaction that the area has, it can be suggested that there is a decrease in the diversity of trees in this area.
The Summersville Reservoir is drained once a year in order to combat flooding in the early Spring--a result of snow melts. This drainage puts strain on the soil, enforcing drought-like conditions. Those trees that thrive in moist soil would struggle to survive through the winter months. In addition, the amount of humans that come through the area would increase pollution in the area. This pollution greatly affects the soils, shrubbery, trees, and animals that survive in the area.
By my own observations, there is a lack of mammals in the area as well. This is more than likely due to the amount of people that inhabit the area, using it for recreational purposes. One area that is greatly affected is the fish populations of the lake. Fishing is one activity that is promoted in Summersville, but there are strict guidelines to follow. The population of fish has been on a steady decline, and one reason for this is the lack of habitats in the lake. The yearly draining of the lake ruins habitats that are created during the summer months, and early builders of the reservoir did not think to leave trees behind for future fish generations.
(Figure 3.)There are two fish species that are common in Summersville Lake, but are quickly deteriorating as a result of lack of habitats and pollution. One of these is the Largemouth bass (M. salmoindes), which is a native to the area and to much of North America. (Figure 3). Another fish species that is common is the Walleye (S. vitreus). (Figure 4) Both of these fish are native to the area and the Corps of Engineers regularly stocks the lake with these species and others. These two species have persisted in this area because they are one of the hardier fish in the community. Both practically feed off anything, and both are very easy to breed in fishery management areas. These fish can be found in both the Upper Gauley and the Lower Gauley as well. Due to lack of research done in the area, it is very difficult to answer the prompt with any more information on the subjects. This lack of research may be because of the Corps of Engineers and their strict guidelines/regulation of the area.
(Figure 4.) 
(Figure 4.)
Lower Gauley
Like the Summersville Lake and the Upper Gauley, many of the same species live in this area as well, with a few exceptions. The Lower Gauley is filled with large outcrops of rocks and is typically drier during most seasons. In addition, the Summersville Dam lets out approximately 2,800 cfs per day during its peak season in September-November, which disturbs the wildlife and vegetation surrounding the river’s edge (HDWM, 2021).
The Lower Gauley is like the Upper Gauley when it comes to home- and land-owners; it is sparse. However this area deals with tourism for most of the year. Because of this, it is less likely that you will see an abundance like the Upper Gauley when it comes to mammals and birds.
There are several species of trees that are more adapted to this area, due to the rushing waters that occur. Trees with deep roots, that can withstand heavy water flow, are the best adapted for this area. One of these trees is the Honey locust, a flowering plant that provides food for bees and other insects. It has deep, fibrous roots that spread wide.
Another hardy tree that is very common in the Lower Gauley is the Eastern red cedar. This tree is very deep rooted as well, and can withstand high winds. The oldest was found in West Virginia, its tree-ring dating over 900 years old (Earle, 2020). This tree is very common in the eastern part of the United States, but its deep roots make it ideal for this area.
(Figure 6.) 
The disturbances in these areas are detrimental to the types of wildlife that inhabit these areas. In the Upper Gauley, there is less disturbances that occur. The Lower Gauley takes the most damage. Daily, thousands of gallons of water are dispersed through the Summersville Dam, releasing built up sediments and freezing water into the river channel. This water is different in many ways, and it can be a shock to the ecosystem when it is released. Cold waters cause chemical imbalances in the water--in Nitrogen fixation and oxygen levels. In addition, higher levels of water are released during the fall months. These rushing waters make it more difficult for plant life to take root here, so only the hardiest of species thrive here.
References:
USDA Forest Service. (2013). West Virginia Forests 2013. United States Department of Agriculture. https://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/pubs/rb/rb_nrs105.pdf
WV DNR. (2021). Department of Natural Resources: Wildlife Resources. West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. http://www.wvdnr.gov/Wildlife/WVMammals.shtm#
Home and Gardenia. (2021). Beautiful Backyard Birds in West Virginia. Home and Gardenia. https://www.homeandgardenia.com/common-backyard-birds-in-west-virginia-with-pictures/
WV DF. (2021). Spring Tree Identification. West Virginia Division of Forestry. https://wvforestry.com/spring-tree-identification/
Figure 2. https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol/west-virginia/state-tree/sugar-maple
Figure 1. https://www.honey-plants.com/calendar/west-virginia/eastern-redbud/
Wilson‐Kokes, L., DeLong, C., Thomas, C., Emerson, P,. O'Dell, K., Skous, J. (2013). Hardwood Tree Growth on Amended Mine Soils in West Virginia. Journal of Environmental Quality. https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.2134/jeq2013.03.0103
Huntington District Water Management. (2021). Water Management. United States Army Corps of Engineers. https://www.lrh-wc.usace.army.mil/wm/?
Figure 3. USGS. (2021).
Figure 4. USGS. (2021).
Earle, C. (2020). Juniperus virginiana. The Gymnosperm Database. https://www.conifers.org/cu/Juniperus_virginiana.php
Figure 5. Sullivan, Janet of the Unites States Forest Service. (1994).
Figure 6. Little, Elbert of the United States Forest Service. (1994).
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