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Science and Stewardship
The Central Appalachian Mountains, which includes West Virginia, represent one of the most significant hot spots for biological diversity in the continental United States. Indeed, this is one of the richest places on Earth for the diversity of freshwater fish, freshwater mussels, land snails, deciduous broadleaf trees, lungless salamanders, cave invertebrates, freshwater fish, freshwater mussels, crayfish, and other types of plants and animals. Many of these species are found only in the Central Appalachians or even in a small portion of West Virginia. This species diversity exists for two reasons. First, there is substantial habitat diversity due to the region's substantial variation in topography, elevation, geology, climate, and drainage patterns. Second, the region was not as severely affected by Pleistocene glaciation as were areas farther north. Especially noteworthy are species of specialized habitats like dry shale barrens and cedar glades, fire-maintained pine barrens, high elevation heathlands and grass balds, peatlands and other wetlands, natural ponds, spruce forests, and caves. Terrestrial species diversity, along with diversity of natural community types, is highest in the eastern third of West Virginia. Aquatic biological diversity is also significant in West Virginia, especially in the western portions of the state. According to the EPA’s Aquatic Ecoregion classification (76 ecoregions in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.), the Old Teays-Ohio Ecoregion is one of six regions in North America that has been designated as Conservation Priority One due to its richness of species. For example, aquatic diversity in the Little Kanawha River watershed supports 86 fish species and 26 species of freshwater mussels. The state's land use patterns have also promoted the continued existence of this biological richness. Today, West Virginia includes some of the largest intact blocks of forestland in eastern North America, substantial breeding populations of neotropical migrant birds, and vigorous populations of wide-ranging mammals such as black bear and bobcat. Learn more
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