SCIENCE IN THE NEWS DAILY

Nearly 900 Species Discovered in Smokies During 10-Year Project

from the Asheville Citizen-Times

ASHEVILLE, NC–A project documenting all living creatures in Great Smoky Mountains National Park has led to the discovery of nearly 900 new species, furthering science, education and public interest in conservation, a group of panelists testified Monday.

The success and importance of the 10-year-old All Taxa Biodiversity Project, the largest natural history survey ever undertaken in the United States, came Monday during a Senate subcommittee field hearing at UNC Asheville.

Not only has the project advanced scientists’ understanding of plant and animal species in the nation's most visited national park, but it also has helped to educate the public about the importance of preserving natural resources, the panelists said.