The southern Appalachian forests are among the most biologically diverse in the temperate world. You can see more trees species in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park than in all of Europe. You would need to travel around the world to Southeast Asia to find a temperate forest that rivals the Southern Appalachians in the richness of its plant life. This biological richness also provides an economic base.
Natural beauty attracts visitors, new residents and businesses.
Nature-based tourism, appreciation for a high quality of life, and high quality natural areas can form a basis for sustainable communities. However this potential must overcome unbridled growth, an aversion to planning, and pressure to destroy remaining natural lands. Unprecedented development, population, and resource pressures make this a critical time to plan for the region's future biological health. GIS represents an indispensable tool for visualizing and analyzing our changing landscape. It provides a powerful tool for presenting the vision of a healthy, sustainable and naturally functioning environment.