The Biodiversity of the Southeastern United States

Biodiversity: What it is... and why we should care Biodiversity describes the variety of living organisms on Earth, their genetic makeup within and between populations, and the intricate web of interactions between them that sustains life across ecosystems, regions, landscapes, and oceans. -Adapted from the National Research Council (US) Committee on Noneconomic and Economic Value of Biodiversity and the World Wildlife Fund's definitions of Biodiversity - intermingled with my own understanding.  So, why does it matter?  Biodiversity is vitally important. It's key to the proper functioning of an ecosystem. Each species has a role to play - a niche to fill. When we lose those characters, we lose their contribution to the system, and that leaves an open space for non-native, and often times invasive species, to fill. When this happens it can throw off the balance of the entire ecosystem and the intricate ways in which the plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria interact to maintai...

I've decided to explore the Southeastern United States. I chose this area because it's my home, it's my assigned work region, and because it holds globally significant biodiversity within its distinctive ecosystems.   Since I grew up in the southeast - vacationing, exploring, and just living life - I like to think have an almost intrinsic understanding of its landscapes and ecosystems. At the very least, it's familiar to me - it's home. I've spent countless hours exploring the swamps, beaches, estuaries, creeks, meadows, and mountains across the southeast to various extents; and that time has given me a deep appreciation for the local flora and fauna that occur in the region. Furthermore, my job focus (my region) is the southeast, so I'll be able to leverage my professional experience and resources, and use what I learn toward projects or publications I'm working on for work. Most importantly, however, is the southeast's status as a global biodiversi...