MNPS 2009 Annual Fall Conference, "The Catoctin Mountains: Maryland's Blue Ridge"

The world's mountains share remarkably similar ecological themes, including adaptation to extreme environments, high degrees of endemism, topographic complexity, and compaction of climatic zones. Looking at the extraordinary plants that grow on Mt. Everest, Mt. Kenya, Mt. Huascarán, and ending up back home in the lovely central Appalachians, Elizabeth will highlight some of the threats to these fragile ecosystems, and explore potential ways to preserve them.

Today's Catoctin flora has been shaped by geologic history, glacial epochs and its location within the Appalachian chain. These mountains serve as corridors and refugia for native plants and animals. Woody will place the Blue Ridge flora in its Appalachian context by discussing the mountains' formation and subsequent changes.