https://tennesseerivervalleygeotourism.org/entries/great-smoky-mountains-national-park/101a7742-107f-477d-90f5-9ede2bde74fa
With no entrance fee, hundreds of hiking trails, and an abundance of wildlife, it’s no wonder why Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country. Record numbers were observed in 2019, with over 12.5 million visitors (a 10% increase from 2018) and visitations are only expected to rise in the future.
Therefore, it is no surprise that humans have had a significant impact on the surrounding environment. Steadily increasing visitations over the years have contributed to many environmental issues such as soil erosion, air pollution, biodiversity loss, and more invasive species.
Soil Erosion
Soil erosion in the park can be attributed to several anthropogenic causes; one of which is roadside soil erosion. With such overcrowding in the Smokies, it can be difficult to find a parking spot. People then take it upon themselves to create their own, often disturbing soil and promoting erosion in the process.
https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2020/10/does-great-smoky-mountains-national-park-have-crowding-problem
https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2020/10/does-great-smoky-mountains-national-park-have-crowding-problem
Increased car traffic is not the only cause of soil erosion: hiking off trail is also another major reason. When hikers start to wander off route, they trample vegetation and loosen soil. Many individuals ignore the “stay on trail” signs and venture out, essentially creating their own trail. This is an issue because instead of concentrating their negative environmental impact on a narrow path, they are destroying a wider range of landscape. This trampling of vegetation further leads to soil erosion, as the root systems of plants are important for soil stabilization.
https://www.active.com/outdoors/articles/7-best-smoky-mountain-hikes
https://www.earthtrekkers.com/hiking-mt-leconte-smoky-mountains/hiking-smoky-mountains/
Air Quality
Air quality in the Great Smoky Mountains has historically been an issue. Most of the pollution originates outside the park and is created by “power plants, industry, and automobiles.” However, with the drastic increase of annual visitors driving through the park, more nitrous oxide emissions are being emitted inside of the park. Due to its high elevation and heavy precipitation levels, air pollution in Smoky Mountains National Park is a major issue. High elevation soils in the park are receiving so much airborne nitrogen from acid rain that they are “suffering from advanced nitrogen saturation.” These elevated nitrogen levels and increased acidity can pose an issue to the growth of plants and the health of waterways. Specifically, red spruce trees and trout species have suffered from this high acidity in the Smoky Mountains.
file:///Users/maliakay/Downloads/ThesisOverviewBrochure.pdf
https://coastalanglermag.com/brook-trout-anthony-creek/
Haze from air pollution has also drastically limited the scenic views in the park. According to The National Park Service, “average visibility in the southern Appalachians has decreased 40% in winter and 80% in summer.” This haze is the result of tiny particles in the air, which can also impact human health. Extended exposure to particulate matter is proven to cause numerous cardiovascular and respiratory issues according to the EPA.
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/air-quality.htm
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Effects-on-health-from-PM-10-exposure_fig1_307534676
Aquatic Ecosystems
Smoky Mountains National Park streams are home to a diverse spectrum of aquatic insects and invertebrates, as well as over 68 species of fish. However, we are seeing a rapid decrease in biodiversity due to competition with invasive species, overharvesting, habitat degradation, sedimentation, and poor water quality.
One major reason for this increased disruption is tubing on the river. Visitors trample through the river and shift rocks around to make small dams/pools. This is an issue because the rocks are an important breeding ground for Hellbender Salamanders, which are now a threatened species in the area. In 2017, University of Tennessee researchers began to notice a noticeable, sharp decline in hellbenders.
http://www.adventuresonly.com/adventures/river-rat-tubing-the-great-smoky-mountains
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/management/ves.html
Below is a video by a NBC news channel briefly explaining how humans have impacted aquatic organisms–specifically Hellbender Salamanders–in Smoky Mountains National Park.
https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/national-park-service-dont-move-the-rocks-in-smokies-streams/51-8b724068-7043-4731-9315-0831d89c3e56
References
- https://www.smokymountainnews.com/archives/item/2061-threats-on-all-fronts
- https://leisuregrouptravel.com/visitors-damaging-the-great-smoky-mountains-national-park/
- https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/air-quality.html
- https://www.nps.gov/articles/airprofiles-grsm.htm
- https://www3.epa.gov/region1/airquality/pm-human-health.html
- https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/aquaticworld.html
- https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/upload/Stream_Guardian
- https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/06/21/word-smokies-saving-aquatic-wildlife-park-rangers-passion/3228802001/
- https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna38883753
- https://greensboro.com/news/state-and-regional/solutions-to-great-smoky-mountains-overcrowding-resource-damage-fees-shuttles-apps/article_dc7e3c7c-1701-11eb-bb98-9fb9d4e1f297.html
- https://www.smokymountainnews.com/archives/item/28446-smokies-shatters-visitation-records-congestion-issues-prompt-park-to-seek-community-input
- https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2020/10/does-great-smoky-mountains-national-park-have-crowding-problem