To evaluate the current state of forest protection, scientists and conservationists in the eastern U.S. categorize thousands of individual tracts of managed area using a system developed by the federal Gap Analysis Program. These GAP status definitions are modified from Scott, J.M. et al. 1993. Gap analysis: A geographic approach to protection of biological diversity. Wildlife Monographs 123.

Learn more about the USGS Gap Analysis Program.

The Northern Appalachian — Acadian ecoregion extends through large parts of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, as well as Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island in Canada. Click on the map to see the ecoregions of the northeast.

Over 70 critical areas for forest conservation in the U.S. Northern Appalachians have been identified by The Nature Conservancy's scientists and others. Core reserves of 25,000 acres or larger have already been established in 27 of these areas, which are listed below in order of the amount of land protected at GAP status 1 or 2 that they encompass. Click on the chart to enlarge it and see the protection status of these critical places as of November 2003.