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A diverse array of ecosystems piles into the folds and faults ofcentral Appalachia, a chain of peaks extending throughPennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. Floodplainforests and river shore grasslands dot the lower reaches, whilehigh-elevation swamps, shale barrens and stands of dwarf oak markthe highland places. The complex geology and high rates of biodiversity in the region -- currently home to an estimated 7,452 plant andanimal species -- make it a potential "naturalstronghold" in the fight against climate change, according toa new, multimillion-dollar study by the Nature Conservancy. Titled "Resilient Sites for Terrestrial Conservation,"the study analyzed more than 156 million acres of land stretchingfrom Virginia to Maine and into adjacent portions of Canada. Basedon its results, Nature Conservancy scientists identified a numberof geologically and ecologically complex sites throughout theNortheast that could function as strongholds. "These strongholds will be critical to all life as the threatsof climate change continue to grow," said Mark Anderson,regional director of conservation science with the NatureConservancy. "They could serve as breeding grounds and seedbanks for many animal and plant species that otherwise may beunable to find habitat due to climate change." Besides central Appalachia, the report identified sites in theChesapeake Bay lowland, the high Allegheny plateau, lower NewEngland, northern Appalachia and the north Atlantic Coast. Seeking refuge in the eco-niche next door As temperatures rise around the world, scientists believe manyspecies will be pushed out of their long-standing habitats and intonew, more challenging terrains. Areas like central Appalachia,which contain a diverse array of regions, offer the best chancethat slow-moving species like plants will find a hospitable climate close by. "The kind of sites we identified were those with a complexlandscape that contained a lot of micro-climates -- mountains,valleys, slopes, caves, et cetera," said Anderson. Becauseclimate shifts quickly with elevation, such variation is most oftenfound in mountainous sites, he noted, adding that a few dozenmeters of elevation shift can offer a change of climate equivalentto several hundred miles of flatland travel. While large vertebrate mammals, like deer or bear, might be able tomake that overland journey to keep up with northward-shiftingtemperatures, smaller animals and plants just don't move that fast, Anderson said. Enclaves like the central Appalachian Mountains offer enoughclimate variability that even slow-moving species should be able to"hop" from one region from another. "Climate change is going to shake things up," Andersonsaid. "What we want to do is preserve the stage -- even ifthings on the stage are rearranged, they'll find a place." Keeping the lane open for climate migration All this is pointless, however, if the species within a designatedstronghold are restricted in their movements. Artificial barrierslike roads, housing developments, pipelines and otherinfrastructure create such restrictions, Anderson said. The degree to which certain landscapes permit plant and animalmovement is referred to as "permeability." The sitesidentified by the Nature Conservancy study are all highlypermeable, meaning there are few barriers to movement. The study also identifies migratory corridors by which plants andanimals can move from one stronghold to another without impediment. Preserving the natural integrity of these corridors, as well as thepermeability of the strongholds themselves, will be key to theirlong-term success as natural havens, Anderson said. The Nature Conservancy is now extending its research to encompassthe rest of the continental United States. Researchers hope theirfindings will result in increased protection for the sites, many ofwhich already occur on nationally protected land. Reprinted from Climatewire with permission from Environment &Energy Publishing, LLC. , 202-628-6500. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Salon Trolley Cart Manufacturer , Hair Coloring Tools Manufacturer for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Hair Salon Cape.
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