This 288 page report is number 5 of 5 and includes maps, a glossary, pie charts, tables, and a bibliography. Covers Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. This report examines the condition of two important Southern Appalachian ecosystem elements: terrestrial plant and animal resources and forest health. Topics include broad landscape habitat and land cover patterns, federally listed threatened and endangered species, rare species and communities, popular game species, possible national forest old-growth forest, oak decline, exotic pests and diseases, disturbance, biological diversity, fragmentation, black bear habitat, genetic conservation programs, and neotropical migratory birds. The goal was to build an information base for defining resource management objectives, desired future conditions, standards, guidelines, and management directions. Results will be used in national forest plan revisions and other planning efforts (ii).