The Clinch River and Biodiversity Defined

When defining Biodiversity, I think back to my first course - Conservation Ecology. This course began to structure a definition for biodiversity in my mind. My definition of Biodiversity is a variation of species living within an ecosystem. This definition I give is similar to the one Google gives:

     bi·o·di·ver·si·ty

     the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem

     noun: biodiversity

Since discovering Scott County, Virginia, I have visited the Clinch River many times. It is known as a biodiversity hotspot. The Clinch is home to 48 vulnerable species; many of these species are endangered fresh water mussels (The Nature Conservancy, 2017). This river "contains the nation's greatest concentration of rare and imperiled freshwater animals" (Clinch River Valley Initiative, 2017). This 135 mile river runs within four Virginia counties (Tazewell, Russell, Wise, and Scott) before it crosses the Tennessee line (Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, 2017).  There is one place along the Clinch, I find myself regularly. 

The place I will be visiting the most during this project is on a dirt road where a swinging bridge crosses the river connecting to another dirt road. It is one of the secluded places locals’ visit. All cell phone service is lost within 5 minutes of turning onto the dirt road. Hence, the initial reason I migrate to this river: solitude.

Aside from its environmental features, the Clinch offers recreational and educational benefits. Upstream from where I visit most, there is Natural Tunnel State Park. The park offers coanorkle (canoeing and snorkeling combined) to give visitors the chance to experience the river and attempt to spot endangered muscles. There are other programs offered at the park, but coanorkle is the most unique. Additionally, many small businesses (campgrounds, tubbing, kayaking, canoeing) scatter along the entirety of the river. It seems to have potential to be an economic stimulator. 

I chose to study this river because of my location, my connection, and the desire to share with those who have never heard of the Clinch. Before moving into Southwest Virginia region, I had not even heard of the Clinch – perhaps that is why it is known as “Virginia’s Hidden River. 

This picture is from the CRVI's web-page. it highlights the part of the Clinch River on the Virginia Side. It also gives locations of recreational opportunities.

Sources:

The Nature Conservancy, 2017. Tennessee, Clinch River. Retrieved from: https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/tennessee/placesweprotect/clinch-river.xml

Clinch River Valley Initiative, 2017. Biodiversity. Retrieved from:http://www.clinchriverva.com/biodiversity/

Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, 2017. Clinch River. Retrieved from: https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/waterbody/clinch-river/