The technological tools used in the SAA make the data presented more useful to analysts and decision makers. Although the assessment reveals no major crises, some of its findings are worrisome. Forest pests are causing some serious damage, particularly in northern Virginia. Ecological changes are occurring in the region's forests. Pollution has made some streams unsuitable for human use.
Acidity has significantly affected water quality and fish species in certain streams.
Human development pressures are causing serious effects on natural resources around the region's cities, and conflicts over uses of the area's natural resources are brewing. On the other hand, the assessment highlighted some ecological treasures, such as an extraordinarily high level of species diversity in the Southern Appalachians, particularly in the aquatic arena. For example, to quote from the SAA's Aquatic Technical Report, the headwater areas of the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers on the Cumberland Plateau of southwestern Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky are known to be particularly rich in both fish and mussel species. To some extent, this great geologic age and isolation contributes to the diversity of aquatic fauna throughout the SAA area. In 1994, public meetings were held in the SAA study area to solicit public concerns about specific issues.