Paul Marcum

Since 1999, botanists from the Illinois Natural History Survey have participated in the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP).   Inventories have been done on a watershed basis and a total of ten new and two historic plant records have been discovered for GSMNP.   In 2003, a grant was received from Discover Life in America (DLIA) to conduct plant surveys in areas north of Fontana Lake .   These areas are relatively inaccessible and have some unique geological features.   Great success was achieved and 74 specimens of 43 park-listed rare taxa were collected (as well as specimens of 3 new species).   This area; however, has only received a good preliminary examination.   Very few collections were made at mid to high elevation levels.   These areas are even more remote and more difficult to access and continued grant support is needed to further inventory this region of the park.

Loy Phillppe

Principal Investigator

PI Name:  Mr. Paul B. Marcum

PI Organization:  Center for Wildlife and Plant Ecology, Illinois Natural History Survey

Co-investigator #1

Co-PI Name:  Dr. Loy R. Phillippe

Co-PI Organization:  Center for Biodiversity , Illinois Natural History Survey

Primary Taxonomist

Taxonomist Name:  Mr. Paul B. Marcum

Taxonomist Organization:  Illinois Natural History Survey