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Kentucky's unique geography makes it rich in species diversity. This interactive adapted from Kentucky's Natural Heritage: an Illustrated Guide to Biodiversity, provides students with a description of the natural regions in Kentucky, and the types of species that can be found in each. Among other things, students will find out where the regions are located, and what characteristics define them.

If you live in the state of Kentucky, then you are fortunate enough to live in a state that has quite a bit of diversity among its natural regions. Natural regions are areas that share similarities in geology, topography, climate and vegetation. In Kentucky there are nine of these regions that stem from three physiographic provinces: Coastal Plains, Interior Low Plateaus, and Appalachian Highlands.  

The Coastal Plains province covers a small portion of far western Kentucky. Within this province lies the Mississippi/Ohio River Floodplain region and the East Gulf Coastal Plain region. These regions include swamplands, rolling flatlands and silt deposits among other things. The plants and animals that are found here are more typical of what you might see further south. This is the northernmost limit for many of these species.

The province that covers the entire midsection of Kentucky is known as the Interior Low Plateaus. Since it covers such an extensive area, it contains the majority of Kentucky’s natural regions – five in all. These five natural regions are Owensboro Lowlands/Ohio River Floodplain, Shawnee Hills, Highland Rim, Knobs, and Bluegrass. These areas include flatlands, rolling hills, wetlands, caves, and cliff lined streams and rivers. Since the land is so diverse in this province, it provides for an equally diverse species population. Some species typically found in this region are consistent with what you might see in prairies, glades and oak-hickory forests.

The remaining two natural regions are located in the Appalachian Highlands in eastern Kentucky. The Appalachian Plateaus and Cumberland Mountains regions are made up of mountains, ridges, narrow stream valleys, eroded plateaus and steep hills. The plant and animal species that are typical of these regions are typical of the northern and southern Appalachians. This area also provides an important role in migration.

With such diverse regions across Kentucky, it is no wonder that it is home to so many different plant and animal species.

After analyzing the map, explain why it makes sense that Kentucky would have such high species diversity.

Have students work through the interactive as individuals or in groups to find the answers to a list of questions you have provided for them.