SAIN is using Geographical Information Systems to aid in the visualization of data sets and is building a map and GIS data collection for the Southern Appalachian region.

Below, we have our map collection categorized by topic.

• Some maps have the option of opening a PDF version of the map, in order to zoom in and zoom out or print.
• Some maps will have the option to download the GIS data used to create the map.
• Some maps have a dynamic/interactive map option from which you can turn map layers off and on or import your own GIS data layer to overlay. We have two different types of interactive maps: HTML and Java.

We also have a web map URL library to which we periodically add links that we find on the internet. If you want to submit a link to our collection, please do and we’ll review it. Let us know the name of the page, the URL, and why you think we should include it in our inventory. Click here to Submit a Link.

Geophysical Maps

Maps in this category will contain: geology, physiography, climate, hydrology, soils.

Biological Maps

Maps in this category will contain: ecosystem classifications, vegetation and wildlife distribution, species occurrence. (Clicking on the thumbnail at left will open the World Wildlife Fund Ecoregions .pdf, 419KB)

Human Influence Maps

Maps and GIS data in this category will contain: roads, railroads, political boundaries, cities.

Southern Appalachian Region

The Southern Appalachian region is one of the most biologically rich areas in the U.S. It offers a diverse environment to develop and test new approaches to better manage sensitive ecosystems for public use. Included in this map viewer are general information data layers of interest including topography, government and managed land holdings, streams, and watersheds.
Map Options: HTML map
Java maps and downloadable data currently under construction!

Southeastern Ecological Framework

The Southeastern Ecological Framework Project map viewer includes the information collected during the SEF Project which was to identify ecologically significant areas and connectivity in the southeast region of the US. This project began in October 1998 and was completed in December 2001 and was sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency Region 4. The final report is available to download as a PDF (Large file: 8.8MB). The Southeastern Ecological Framework feature viewer requires Java plug-in and applets. Works with Internet Explorer on Windows only. (The necessary Java software will be offered automatically for downloading and installation if not already present on the user's computer.)
Map Options: Southeastern Ecological Framework (HTML viewer)

Southern Appalachian Assessment

The Southern Appalachian Assessment map viewer is a historical dataset from ecological measurements in the region’s ecosystems, air, water and land resources conducted in 1996. Using the best available technology, the scientists who conducted the SAA gathered and interpreted large quantities of data about the region. The results provide estimates of what is happening in the region and what the consequences of those trends may be. The SAA reports and data sets are available on CD-Rom or download by visiting samab.org.
Map Options: Southern Appalachian Assessment (HTML viewer)

SAMAB
Appalachian Volunteer Enviromental Monitoring Program (SAVEM)

Volunteers from around the southern Appalachian area are being trained to monitor ecological health in their community. The volunteers are involved in hands-on invasive plant and aquatic surveys. Resulting data are used to determine the best approaches for effective management as well as improve public awareness of the threats. If you are interested in volunteering for the SAMAB Appalachian Volunteer Enviromental Monitoring Program (SAVEM) visit www.samab.org for contact information.
Click on the map on the left to enlarge, then click on the blue watersheds to see water quality sampling locations, or click inside the red boxes to see invasive plant species sites.
Map Options: HTML map
PDF Maps: Index
Water Quality Sample Site Maps available: Upper Clinch (159KB), Upper Holston (321KB), Upper Little Tennessee (542KB), Upper Nolichucky (272KB)
Invasive Plant Species Project Area Maps available: Wayah Bald (Franklin) Area (77KB), Pittman Center Area (1.1MB), Hot Springs Area (297KB)
Downloadable GIS data coming soon

Tennessee River Gorge

Through partnerships with the University of Tennessee (Chattanooga and Knoxville) and the Tennessee River Gorge Trust we are providing an interactive map viewer that allows the user to view information regarding the topography and select biological organisms located within the 25,000 acres of land that are carved through the Cumberland mountains by 26 miles of the Tennessee River.
Map Options: HTML map (Requires Netscape or Internet Explorer 4.5 or newer.)

Appalachian Trail Corridor

The Appalachian Trail Conference, National Forest Foundation, National Park Service, Southern Appalachian Man And the Biosphere have partnered to promote scientific study and monitoring of environmental conditions in the vicinity of the Appalachian Trail.
The interactive map of the Appalachian Trail Corridor requires Java plug-in and applets. (The necessary Java software will be offered automatically for downloading and installation if not already present on the user's computer.)
Map Options: Java map (Works with Internet Explorer on Windows only.)

USGS Integrated Science Effort

More than 90 USGS scientists gathered for a workshop in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in October 2001 to share information about the Southern Appalachian region. These scientists represented all disciplines of the USGS--water resources, biological resources, national mapping, and geology. This map was produced from the October 2001 workshop. The next workshop will invite additional partners and will tentatively be held in Spring 2003.
Contributed by jpfloyd@usgs.gov. For more information visit: http://www.appalachianregionscience.usgs.gov/appal/conf/fall01/default.asp
Note: choosing the PDF version of this map sends you to http://www.appalachianregionscience.usgs.gov/appal/pdf/APREG.pdf
(This file is approximately 6 MB and will take a considerable download time.).
Map Options: PDF map Downloadable GIS data coming soon!