S. Jean Freeney Node Manager 865.576.7044 jfreeney@usgs.gov
Bonnie C. Carroll Node Lead 865.298.1220 Bonnie@iiaweb.com
Shelaine C. Hetrick Partnership and Outreach Coordinator 865.298.1242 Shelaine@iiaweb.com
About the Node
Southeastern United States Shaded Relief Map [Image: U.S. Geological Survey National Map]
What is the Southern Appalachian Information Node? The Southern Appalachian Information Node (SAIN) is a collaborative group of public and private partners working to improve access to information related to the biological resources of the Southeast.
What is SAIN's Purpose? As a geographic node within the NBII (more about the NBII), SAIN functions as a gateway to regional biological information, making it more accessible for environmental policy/management decision-making, research and education.
SAIN Core Service Area The Southern Appalachian Information Node (SAIN) connects the biological resources of states within the core service area of Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
SAIN General Service Area Though outside the SAIN core service area, SAIN remains attuned to the biological data and resources of states in the broader Southeast as yet unassigned to a node, including Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Southern Appalachian Fact Sheet
The Southern Appalachian region is one of the most biologically rich areas in the United States. SAIN is a unique source for integrated science including biological, physicochemical, and socio-economic data and information created and coordinated in the region, combining multi-agency information and regional resources to improve productivity, resource management, and sustainable development through the Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere (SAMAB) connection and other partners.
Land areas can be categorized into ecological regions, or ecoregions, based on characteristics such as geology, land surface characteristics, vegetation, climate, soils, land use, wildlife, and hydrology. Southeastern U.S. ecoregions include:
![Southern Appalachian Fact Sheet [Image: NBII-SAIN]](http://www.nbii.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_3505_883_310_43/http%3B/nbiipublisher.cbi.cr.usgs.gov%3B7087/publishedcontent/publish/geographic/southern_appalachian/southern_appalachian_fact_sheet/factsheet_content_3.jpg)
