Diverse species

Figure 7. Highland forests are home to a great diversity of plant and animal species. (Photograph by Dirk Frankenberg. More about the photograph)

The forests of the high slopes are mixed mesophytic forests found on creek and river slopes. Those found below 2,500 feet in open areas are characterized by a greater richness of species than is found in any other vegetation type in the region. This richness can be attributed to a lack of distinction of elevation within this community. Species characteristic of both the cove forests and upland oak forests are found here.

Hickory, maple, and oak trees form the canopy of these forests. In addition, many herbs and shrubs inhabit this community, as well as sourwood and dogwood, which dominate the understory. Figure 7 shows a number of different species and is a good example of the richness of slope forests: A mixture of hardwoods is present along with a number of shrubs and flowers in the understory.

Not only does this area have an incredible number of rare plant species, but it is home to a great diversity of animal species as well. The state’s largest population of green salamanders occurs in Jocassee, inhabiting the moist cracks and crevices along the creeks. Three different species of fish — the turquoise darter, redeye bass, and rosyface chub — have chosen the rivers running through the gorges as their sole dwelling place in North Carolina. And to complement the startling array of tropical plant species, Jocassee also provides abundant habitat for neotropical migrant birds.

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