What Is A Cove Hardwood Forest

Cove forests which are unique to the appalachian mountains and are a subtype of appalachian blue ridge forests are found in protected positions in the landscape at middle to low elevations and are typified by high species richness of both plants and animals.

What is a cove hardwood forest.

The appalachian mixed mesophytic forests is an ecoregion of the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biome as defined by the world wildlife fund it consists of mesophytic plants west of the appalachian mountains in the southeastern united states. Both multinational timber industries as well as local chip mills in kentucky and tennessee create demand for increased harvests on public and private lands. Appalachian cove forests in sheltered valleys with rich thick soils and tall tulip poplars and basswoods are exceptionally rich in plant and animal diversity. Also called the southern appalachian cove forest or simply the cove hardwood forest the classic cove hardwood forest is the botanical wonderland of our eastern forests.

The cove hardwood forest in question grows in a hollow tucked into sugarland mountain s northern footslopes above the west prong of the little pigeon river. Alternating between areas that were logged in the early 1900s and areas that remained untouched visitors can see the forest transition over a fairly short distance. Cove hardwoods nature trail is a 0 8 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near gatlinburg tennessee that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Here eastern hemlocks join an astonishing array of broadleaf trees basswood carolina silverbell yellow.

This ecoregion consists of the following epa level iii ecoregions. Species associated with cove hardwood forest for which that information is lacking. Cove hardwood nature trail intermediate. The spruce fir forest caps the park s highest elevations.

Cove hardwood forests occupy lush low to mid elevation ravines and basins. Nowhere else in eastern america exists a forest with such plant riches. Several reasons account for much of this diversity. Hardwood forests are increasingly being exploited throughout the region as maturing forests become attractive to timber exploiters and production in west coast forests declines.

Between 40 to 60 tree and shrub species grow in coves which are sheltered valleys with deep rich soils. Along the trail several old growth trees are featured including a yellow buckeye over 12 feet in circumference and a sugar. The cove hardwood forest is the most botanically diverse of these forests. Focus initial survey efforts on state listed species and others that may be declining such as the cooper s hawk sharp shinned hawk brown creeper black billed cuckoo cerulean warbler.

Southwestern appalachians ecoregion. Common species include carolina silverbell basswood dogwood and magnolia. The only southern appalachian forest community you won t find in our parks is the boreal forest of spruce and fir which is found only at elevations above 5000 feet.