Historical State

        The Southeastern Mixed Forests are considered the center of gastropod (e.g. snails, slugs) diversity in North America, but many of the endemic taxa have gone extinct (10). The freshwater ecosystems (e.g. streams, marshes, lakes) found within this ecoregion are among the richest in the temperate latitudes (10). The Southeastern Mixed Forests rank among the top ten ecoregions in richness of amphibians, reptiles, and birds and among the top ten ecoregions in number of endemic reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, and mammals in the U.S. (10). There are more than 3,600 native species of herbs and shrubs, the highest in North America (10). Common shrubs and herbaceous species include blackberry (Rubus spp.), sumac (Rhus spp.), honeysuckle (Lionicera spp.), and poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) (Skeen et al. 1993) (10).

         The natural vegetation of this ecoregion is oak-hickory-pine forests. However, it used to dominated by stands of pure pine and hardwood (10). Prior to European settlement "the most dominate ecological force in shaping the composition and structure of the Southeastern Mixed Forests was fire" (10). Fire disturbance is a natural adaptation of this ecoregion and nature provided this with lightening.  Fire substantially helps maintain the stands of pines by providing good seed beds for pines to grow. In other words, fire helped ensure the reproduction of pines and oaks. Common pine species of this ecoregion included shortleaf pine (Pinus echinita), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) (10). However, due to European settlement "hardwood species grew in after the pines and established themselves prominently in the understory" (10). American chestnut trees (Castanea dentana) were an important tree in this ecoregion, but its population was destroyed in the early 20th century by the chestnut blight (5). On a positive note, granite outcrops are among the few habitats that are in relatively good condition (10).

Shenandoah National Park- Virginia

http://www.richmondbargains.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/shenandoah.jpg

                                                                                 
                                                                                     

Buffalo National River- Arkansas

http://hawcreekoutdoors.com/Arkansas/buffalo_national_river.htm