This lifeform is found east of the Continental Divide in North America.

Appalachian Mountains. This image was taken near the border between Kentucky and Virginia. The southern high mountains of the Appalachian system contain many species of plants found only further north in the United States and Canada.

Three different major climatic and environmental areas exist in the southeastern United States. The southern Appalachian mountains contain species that are found mostly in the northern United States and Canada. The area between the mountains and the low coastal area is generally referred to as the Piedmont. The coastal areas are unique in that the temperatures and humidity are higher. These coastal regions contain their own species of plants and animals. As an indication of the great bio-diversity in this region, there are over 3,300 species of plants noted in the "Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas."

North America (Nearctic Region) usually includes most of the United States, Alaska, and Canada. The northern portion of this range is the Arctic Tundra which supports only a limited number of species. It is considered north of the tree line beyond which no trees grow. The southern portion of this range includes the dry and hot areas of Arizona and the humid and hot areas of Florida. Most of the area lies between these two extremes and is either woodland or else the Great Plains of the central United States and Canada.

Biologists generally separate the world into five different main biological areas:

    AREA                DESCRIPTION

    Nearctic            North America including Canada and USA
    Neotropical         Central and South America
    African             Africa and Madagascar
    Palearctic          Europe to China and Japan
    Indo-Australian     India through Malaysia to Australia

Biologists have found that very few species are found in more than one biological area. There are a few northern North American species that are also found in northern Eurasia, and a few Oriental species that are also found in the Indo-Australian region. Generally, however, most species are limited to a single biological area or a portion of a single biological area. Different species need different environments to survive. Some plants are found only on prairies, while others are found only in woodlands. Additional species are found only in bogs, while others are found only on seashores, mountain tops, in valleys, rain forests, or deserts.

Furthermore, certain plant communities support selected groups of different animals. For example, there are prairie animals, mountain animals, and seashore animals. The earth was originally blessed with numerous different environments each with its own interesting and valuable species.

Lately, however, man has begun using many of these different environments for his own pleasure. Prairies have been turned into farmlands, many lakes make ideal places for water sports, and seashores have been turned into recreational destinations or prime homesites. The result is a worldwide loss of habitat diversity. With this loss of habitat diversity, there has been a corresponding loss of various species.  

Furthermore, man has intentionally and accidentally introduced many non-native species into different environments. Many of these introductions are able to push out native species. The English sparrow and European starling are two such bird examples. Purple loosestrife and deadly nightshade are two well-known invasive plant species. The net result of this loss of habitat and introduction of non-native species can be called environmental or biological meltdown.  

Many scientists believe biological meltdown is more serious than the well-known nuclear meltdown.