The overall risk to ecosystems is extreme. Although 100 percent of spruce-fir forest has been degraded, only 10 to 20 percent of habitat has been lost. The state has 79 federally listed threatened and endangered species. Biological Diversity Policy Tennessee has a biodiversity policy entitled the Tennessee Biodiversity Program. The program is a joint venture involving state and federal resource agencies designed to conserve biodiversity through education and outreach to the variety of landowners in the state.
Efforts are also underway to involve planners and local government officials.
In addition, the general assembly found that protection of the states land, water and biological resources was necessary to maintain the state's natural diversity and health. Several provisions relating to conservation easements were enacted to implement this policy. Finally, the Natural Areas Preservation Act states that some areas possessing scenic biological, geological and recreational values should be protected. Status of Biodiversity Science Tennessee does not have a coordinated assessment system in place. GAP was initiated in 1993.