Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area Environmental Factors

The natural landscape and water quality of the Big South Fork has undergone tremendous alteration due to past extractive activities including coal mining, oil and gas exploration, and logging. Nonnative plant and animal species are of major concern to park management. Kudzu, multiflora rose, and purple loosestrife are just a few invasive plant species in which the park struggles to erradicate. Wild hogs are also numerous. Evidence of the natural rooting behavior, which can destroy sensitive habitat and plant life, can be seen throughout the Area. Although hunting is permited, data on wild hog populations in the Area is lacking.