The immense biodiversity of the Great Smokies results in part from the elevational gradients here, where a walk from mountain base to peak passes through ecological zones equivalent to traveling 1,250 miles northwards. Many resident plants and animals are endemic to the area, meaning they are only found in the Smokies.

The Forests of the Great Smokies

Five forest types dominate the Great Smoky Mountains. Together these forests support more than 130 species of trees and 4,000 other plant species. They represent all the major forest types along eastern North America. As elevation increases within the park, temperature decreases and precipitation increases. Each 1,000 feet of elevation gained is the equivalent of moving 250 miles north. The additional precipitation classifies small sections of the park as rainforest.

All five forest types can be seen at once from Campbell Overlook, two miles south of the Sugarlands Visitor Center on Newfound Gap Road (US 441).

Spruce-fir forest caps the park's highest elevations. Most areas above 4,500 feet support some elements of this forest, but it is best developed above 5,500 feet. In terms of climate, the spruce-fir forest relates to areas such as Maine and Quebec. Its dominant species are red spruce and Fraser fir, with other important species including yellow birch, mountain-ash, hobblebush, and blackberries.

Northern hardwood forest dominates the middle to upper elevations from 3,500-5,000 feet. It mixes with many species from other forest types, but is characterized by sugar maple, American beech, and yellow birch. These forests resemble those throughout much of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and southern Ontario. The northern hardwood forest, specifically sugar maples, produces the most brilliant fall color.

Drier ridges in and around the park hold a pine-oak forest. Despite plentiful amounts of rain, these excessively drained slopes dry out often, and fire is a regular part of these forest communities. In late 1996, the park began controlled burning to prevent unintentional fires from threatening lives and property. This also ensures natural regeneration of species requiring fire for propagation. Major species include red, scarlet, black and chestnut oaks, along with table mountain, pitch, and white pines. Some areas also have hickories.

A hemlock forest often grows along streambanks. Water temperatures remain cold year-round, and this cools and dampens the air. Hemlocks survive better in these conditions than any other species. Hemlocks dominate streamsides throughout the Appalachians. An insect, the hemlock woolly adelgid, is moving south and west and threatens every hemlock in the eastern United States.

The cove hardwood forest lines the valleys throughout the park. It is the Smokies' most diverse ecosystem. Important species include tulip poplar, American basswood, red maple, sweet gum, yellow buckeye, black birch, and dogwood. This lushly diverse forest enjoys warm temperatures, a long growing season, and plentiful rainfall.

Global Cultural and Ecological Importance of the Great Smokies

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a rich cultural history. From Cherokee Indians to Scotch-Irish settlers, this land was home to a variety of cultures and people. Many historic structures remain standing.

Great Smoky Mountains NP is both an International Biosphere Reserve, in recognition of its ecological importance, and a World Heritage Site, in recognition of its tremendous cultural significance.