Ecology of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Ecology of New River Gorge
Located within the peaks of the Appalachian Mountains, the New River winds its way northward through North Carolina, Virginia, and finally, West Virginia. Here, in this scenic state the New River carves a dramatic gorge plunging to depths of 1,600 feet.
This remarkable geological feature is just one aspect of the ecological significance of the 70,000 acres protected by the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
Water
The New River - a tributary of the Kanawha River spanning 320 miles - is a member of the Ohio River Watershed, one of the largest watersheds in the country. This extensive hydrological network allows for a total of 203,940 miles of land to be connected through various waterways. This means that any pollution entering these waters has the opportunity to flow miles from its source.
For centuries, West Virginia has held the prominent position of being one of the country’s leading coal producers. However, this prolonged dominance of the coal industry has had considerable impact on the state’s waterways and interconnected watersheds. Mountaintop removal mining -the removal of mountaintops in search of coal seams - has proven to be extremely harmful to ecosystems. This method is what is most commonly practiced in West Virginia and the neighboring Appalachian states.
Through the disposal of mining waste, pollutants such as selenium can leach into nearby waterways, making its way into aquatic organisms, and subsequently affecting terrestrial life forms. Selenium, a chemical found in coal, poses an enormous threat to the biodiversity of riparian ecosystems. As selenium levels accumulate along food chains, they possess the potential to harm broader ecosystems.
The presence of fecal coliform bacteria is another element of pollution that the New River suffers from. Fecal bacteria comes from point sources such as livestock farms and municipal waste plants. Four tributaries of the New River are recipients of the waste from these sources, making the water unsafe for vulnerable ecosystems. The high presence of fecal coliform bacteria can also make waterways unsafe for human recreation as well.
Animals
The New River’s harsh rapids and the gorge’s rugged terrain provide a unique experience for the fauna living within New River Gorge. The steep drop offs within the gorge and the waterfalls and river strong currents function as range limits, restricting the habitat area for certain species. Due to the presence of such resolute range limits, New River Gorge is home to numerous endemic species that reside only here.
These endemic species are part of the documented 65 species of mammals, 40 species of reptiles, 50 species of amphibians, 34 species of salamanders, and countless birds, insects, and benthic macroinvertebrates found in the park. These impressive numbers are a testament to the remarkable biodiversity that thrives in the area. Without these vital organisms, New River Gorge would not be the beautiful, lush landscape that it is.
The Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), also known as the Allegheny Alligator, is a species of concern in the New River Area. This mega sized amphibian is frequently subject to anthropogenic caused injuries or death, driven by fear of potential bites. Unfortunately, the Hellbender has fallen victim to the misconception of being venomous, which has led to a steep decline in its population.
Hellbenders require a clear, cool, and small body of flowing water. This specific habitat is extremely important to Hellbenders, as they are very vulnerable to their surroundings, and a slight deviance from their ideal needs can lower their quality of life. Since most amphibians including the Hellbender breathe through their skin, they tend to be excellent indicators of water quality. Increased water turbidity, a lack of dissolved oxygen, and agriculture and mine runoff are all factors that can lower water quality levels and threaten the lives of Hellbenders and other amphibians.
Mudpuppies, a smaller salamander native to West Virginian waters, are often mistaken for being Hellbender Salamanders. Mudpuppies are often spotted and have red gills around their head. These gills function similarly to human lungs, absorbing oxygen in the water.
Researchers performed a study in 2017, testing for the presence of Hellbender DNA in tributaries of the New River and Bluestone River. Even with testing being performed during peak Hellbender activity season, only one stream tested positive for Hellbender DNA, indicating that Hellbender populations are extremely vulnerable, and may not be able to recover without human intervention.
The Allegheny Woodrat is another species of concern in West Virginia. This small rodent with its remarkably large ears and eyes resides in the rocky terrain and cliff sides that New River Gorge provides. Woodrats also dwell in caves and are imperative to typically nutrient-poor cave ecosystems as they bring leaf litter and organic material into caves. This keystone species has seen increasing amounts of Racoon Roundworm infection, as well as a lack of food availability. These occurrences may be two of the reasons for the Woodrat's declining population, but the official reason is unknown. Monitoring is currently underway with improvements being seen in West Virginia’s Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. In the summer of 2022, a Woodrat was found within the park for the first time in 20 years.
Trees
New River Gorge is home to some of the scarcely remaining old growth forests. This type of forest can be defined as having large, old trees, both alive and dead, standing and fallen. Smaller trees can be found within an old growth forest as well. These forests, which are declining rapidly, are located along the Burnwood Trail within the park. The oaks, maples, hickories, beeches, and blackgums are dated as being over 350 years old. Such trees are imperative to their ecosystems, with the most significant being oaks and hickories, as they are keystone species.
A lot of what would be old growth forests now, were decimated by settlers and coal companies to industrialize. Settlers used the wood to build homes and mines. During this process of industrialization, many homes and habitats for ecologically significant creatures were removed.
The rest of the forested land covering New River Gorge has been categorized as Mixed Mesophytic, meaning these forests receive an average amount of moisture. Similar forest ecosystems can be seen throughout the lower and middle Appalachian region. The mesophytic forests of New River Gorge are a safe haven for an impressive amount of plant and animal species. Their moderate moisture levels, plant diversity, and varied topography provide a range of habitats for numerous organisms. This diversity fosters complex ecological relationships and makes New River Gorge a hotspot for biodiversity.
Forests provide ecosystems with a range of support including prevention of soil erosion, water filtering, and carbon sequestering. The well-developed root systems of the trees in mesophytic forests stabilize soil alongside the rugged terrain of the gorge. This crucial function prevents landslides and the sedimentation of nearby waterways.
The forests also contribute significantly toward water quality in the area. Trees are able to intercept and filter rainwater and runoff, which helps purify and regulate the flow of rivers and streams. This ensures a constant supply of clean water for aquatic ecosystems downstream. Mesophytic forests also function as a carbon sink, meaning they can store and absorb carbon from the atmosphere, preventing it from exacerbating the effects of climate change.
Rocks
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve holds a unique ecosystem that is only seen alongside a few other Appalachian rivers. The Appalachian Flatrock community is an area of flattened rock that gets frequently flooded. This makes it difficult for plants to sustain life on the rocks. After a flood, secondary succession occurs and pioneer species such as lichen and small-rooted plants try to take up residence in the newly flooded area. Later, trees like the eastern red cedar and post oak begin to reside in the area. These trees are able to withstand harsh conditions like a major flood.
The introduction of dams poses a potential threat to the Appalachian Flatrock community, raising uncertainty about the community's ability to endure human-induced, less severe flooding. The presence of this unique community in New River demonstrates the level of biodiversity the area contains, and the importance of protecting areas like New River Gorge.
Climate Change
Elevations in New River Gorge vary dramatically, providing microclimatic conditions for organisms of varying environments. These conditions allow for organisms requiring colder, dryer environments to take refuge in the park, while simultaneously allowing for organisms needing warmer temperatures to find a home as well. As the effects of climate change become more severe, organisms will find New River Gorge to be a place of refuge, with various types of habitats.
Furthermore, as New River Gorge also functions as a carbon sink, it can absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse house, from the atmosphere. Each year, 145,715 metric tons of CO2 are absorbed by the preserve, significantly reducing the amount of greenhouse gases that reach the atmosphere. The substantial carbon sequestering not only aids in maintaining the ecological equilibrium within the gorge but also contributes to the global effort to combat climate change. As carbon sinks become increasingly rare due to deforestation, recognizing the importance of New River Gorge is imperative. By protecting these natural lands, we not only preserve the local ecosystem and biodiversity but we also make a significant contribution to the broader fight against climate change.