Mammals of Great Smoky Mountains National Park- 1995 Update
Linzey DW. 1995. Mammals of Great Smoky Mountains National Park- 1995 Update. Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society. 111(1):1-81
ABSTRACT: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the largest remaining protected ecosystem east of the Rocky Mountains (2072 km2), has been designated an international biosphere reserve. Its great diversity in flora and fauna is the result of its deeply dissected landscape ranging from 850 to 6643 ft. (258–2019 m). Deciduous broad-leaved and evergreen coniferous forests predominate, but treeless grass and heath balds and open wet meadows occur as well. Areas that were farmed or logged have been recovering for varying periods of time and, therefore, present a wide range of successional stages. The mammal fauna is unique due to the diversity of habitats, the fact that many species are near the southern limits of their ranges, and because of the presence of several endemic forms. It has been 26 yr since the most recent comprehensive compilation of distributional and natural history data on the mammals of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Since that time, several new species have been recorded, new data on distribution and biology have been recorded, and new habitat, including another cave, has been acquired by the National Park Service. At present, 66 species of mammals inhabit the park. Eight additional species are listed as "probable," based on their known distribution in regions surrounding the park. The accompanying bibliography is the most complete ever assembled for park mammals.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Linzey, Donald
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, food habits, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, GRSM-00134, Mammals, North Carolina, Parasites, Predation, Reproduction, SER, Southeast Region, Tennessee