-OUTDOOR RECREATION AND BIODIVERSITY ON-
Why is the Clinch so important?
The Clinch is often referred to as one of the "most biodiverse rivers in North America." But what does that really mean, and how did our region become so biodiverse? Use the content below to learn more about biodiversity and its role in the southern and central Appalachians, particularly in rivers like the Clinch. (Note: Embedded videos are from outside sources that do not necessarily endorse other content on this website or formally partner with this initiative.)
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity, or the degree of variation in life on Earth, is often viewed to as the sum total of living things within a given area. Biodiversity can be measured in many ways - from the abundance (number) of individuals in an area, to the different types of species found in a region, and even in terms of the rarity or age of a species - but all measures of biodiversity reflect the wealth of life that surrounds us.
Biodiversity is more than just a collection of wildlife, too. Biodiversity helps sustain the planet - even us! - through services such as natural air and water purification, pollination of crop plants, and a natural form of insurance from storms and natural disasters. Check out the video above to get better picture of biodiversity, or check out the links below for more info.
Why Appalachia?
The southern and central Appalachian Mountains harbor some of the most biodiversity of any region on the planet. Salamanders, fishes, freshwater mussels, and many other groups reach peak diversity in our region, a consequence of climate, the complexity of our mountains' topography, and their relatively stable past.
This especially holds true for Appalachian rivers and streams. A wealth of biodiversity can be found in and around our region's waterways, and the video above will provide a brief glimpse into this astounding array of wildlife, with the links below taking you deeper into our region's natural history.
What about the Clinch?
Even within Appalachia, the Clinch is a special place. The river has more species of imperiled freshwater mussels, for example, than most other streams on our continent, and a host of other rare species occur within the surrounding watershed.
The video above, produced by The Nature Conservancy, highlights some of this biodiversity and ongoing efforts within the Clinch Valley to preserve it. Use the links below to learn more, and return to the homepage to begin exploring the Clinch Valley and its biodiversity for yourself.
So, Where Boes Biodiversity Come From?
If the Clinch is so biodiverse, how did it get that way? Understanding the processes that drive Appalachian biodiversity takes going back in time - in some cases, millions of years! - and piecing together evidence from wildlife, geology, and even humans. The interactive tour linked in the button below provides an introduction into how biologists try to understand these processes, using the mystery of the Clinch Valley's high-elevation forests as an example. When you're done here, head over to our explore page to begin visiting some of these unique sites and understanding biodiversity for yourself. (Note: The linked tour requires the free Google Earth plugin to operate - download prompted on outgoing website.)