Northeast

Southeast

The Southeastern United States is dominated by a humid subtropical climate, with the exception of South Florida, which is designated as a tropical savannah.

In the Southeastern US, long, hot, and wet summers (though still sunny), and mild winters create a lush landscape with many evergreen forests, especially from South Carolina south to central Florida. South Florida's tropical climate has a wet season from May through October, when the Bermuda High dominates and creates a deep flow of tropical air, and a dry season from November through April, when semi-arid conditions, sunshine, and dry weather prevail. Although the risk from a tropical cyclone in any one spot is small, there is also a risk of a hurricane from June through October.

The typical vegetation in the Southeast is forests, with much of the sandy coastal regions dominated by old growth forests of loblolly pine, longleaf pine, shortleaf pine and slash pine. Some areas near the coast have subtropical evergreen forests with southern magnolia, Live oak, and palms in thick, jungle like areas, especially in parts of Florida and the coastal areas of Georgia. Inland areas have deciduous forests usually consisting of various pine species along with oak, hickory, sweetgum, blackgum, red maple and winged elm. The main grasses found in the Southeast are bluestem, panicums, and longleaf uniola, with dogwood, viburnum, haw, blueberry, American beautyberry, youpon, and numerous woody vines being common as well. The Gulf Coast area is bordered by salt marshes dominated by the marsh grass Spartina.

In central Florida the climate promotes multiple types of ecotourism, as well as more traditional tourism through Orlando's theme parks. The region has multiple state parks that serve as hubs for ecotours. Silver springs state park operates glass bottom boat tours, kayak tours, as well as hiking through the park's many wooded trails.^[1] The east coast also features several unique forms of ecotourism, including the rare bioluminescence effect in their lagoons and rivers caused by dinoflagellates being agitated by the movement of water around them. One such example of this ecotourist attraction is bioluminescent kayaking in Brevard County, FL.  This seasonal tourist activity is a type of nighttime ecotour where guests follow a tour guide in kayaks, and observe the bioluminescent reaction of dinoflagellates in the water as they paddle.^[2]

In southern Florida the habitat is known as tropical savanna. Here plants must adapt to hot rainy conditions in summer, and dry nearly drought conditions in winter. As such, everything from cactus to towering palm trees are found across central and south Florida. The Florida Everglades is the "River of Grass", and seasonally flooded river grassland with 15 foot pythons and home to the American crocodile. This is region characterized as having open expanses of tall grasses, such as sawgrass and three-awns, interspersed with hardy, drought-resistant trees and shrubs. Many tropical trees found in the nearby Caribbean are found in southern Florida. Many native palms are found across southern Florida, including coconut palms (the only area they can grow on the US mainland). Cypress forests are extensive in this region, along with mangroves along the coastal areas. Off the coast of southern Florida and the Florida Keys the only coral reefs on the US mainland are present. Manatees are found in estuaries and channels throughout the state. Coral reefs serve as habitat for many hundreds of tropical fish species, some found only in Florida waters. Many Lizards and snake species are found in Florida.

To the north in the southeast, many indigenous mammals are found. The greater southeastern USA is home to 70% of all bird and plant species found on the North American mainland. Many mammals inhabit this region including wolf, coyote, fox, raccoons, squirrels, eastern gray squirrels, cottontail rabbits, armadillos and opossums. Bobwhite and wild turkey are the main game bird that can be found in the region. Other very common birds found in the Southeast are mourning doves, pine warbler, cardinal, summer tanager, Carolina wren, ruby-throated hummingbird, blue jay, hooded warbler, eastern towhee, and tufted titmouse. Many non-game migratory birds and migratory waterfowl are common as well. The endangered red-cockaded woodpecker is also native to the region. Numerous species of reptiles and amphibians can be found here as well, such as the American alligator, common and alligator snapping turtles, fence and glass lizards, and salamanders. The forest snake species found include cottonmouth moccasin, copperhead, rough green snake, rat snake, coachwhip, and speckled kingsnake.^[3]

Midwest

Northwest

The Northwest of the United States is dominated by the Cascade Mountain range and is characterized by cool winters that are very cloudy, and cool to mild summers. Rainfall ranging from 30 to 150 inches per year. These heavy rains have led to the growth of coniferous forests that include Douglas-fir, western redcedar, western hemlock, grand fir, silver fir, subalpine fir, whitebark pine, Sitka spruce, and Alaska cypress, along with an abundance of thick shrub understory. Along the coastal regions, however, glaciers and rivers dominate, leading to riparian forests that have broadleaf species such as black cottonwood and red alder. Common mammals include Sitka deer, Roosevelt elk, mountain lion, American black bear, Douglas squirrel, red tree vole, and Townsend's chipmunk. Important game birds are ruffed grouse and blue grouse. Other non-game bird species found in this region are winter wren, Townsend's warbler, chestnut-backed chickadee, red-breasted nuthatch, and spotted owl and marbled murrelet which rely on the old growth forests found in this region. The Pacific treefrog, Pacific giant salamander, northern alligator lizard, and rubber boa can also be found here.

Southwest

The southwest of the United States is the most arid region of the nation and this allows for a very different set of ecosystems and natural habitats to exist. Ecotourism in the southwest of the United States focuses around the natural areas of the Grand Canyon, Colorado River, desert areas and the Pacific Ocean. This part of the country has numerous herds of wild horses and burros which roam the wild lands of Nevada.

Alaska

Alaska's Boreal forest contains many varieties of tree, primarily black and white spruce but also including balsam poplar, aspen, and paper birch. It is the coldest terrestrial ecosystem on Earth. Fire is common and is often caused by lightning or humans. Burnt organic materials enrich the soil, and the regrowth of vegetation allows for biodiversity. It is home to Arctic ground squirrels and northern flying squirrels, marmots, woodchucks, and birds such as gray jays, boreal chickadees, northern flickers, red-tailed hawks, and boreal owls. The climate in this region is very extreme, with exceptionally cold winters and hot summers. The Arctic tundra is flat and treeless, with extensive marshes and lakes. Winters are long and cold and the short summers also remain cool. A layer of permafrost, or frozen soil, lies beneath the tundra's surface. Permafrost limits plant growth since their roots are unable to reach very deep. Cottongrass-tussock is the most widespread type of vegetation in the region. Global warming poses a threat to this region and its permafrost. Alaska is home to a large brown bear population, including grizzly bears and Kodiak bears. Black bears and moose live throughout the state. Polar bears live along the coast in the Arctic tundra region; caribou are also concentrated in the tundra.

Hawaii

Being a chain of individually formed volcanic islands, the ecosystems of Hawaii are extremely numerous and diverse, including deserts, beaches, coral reefs, and rainforests. Hawaiian tropical rainforests are found on windward mountain slopes. Coral reefs are located close to the shore of the islands. The coastlines are rough and the climate is tropical and remains fairly steady due to the ocean and trade winds. Shrubs are found in the coastal lowlands. They are topped by forests sloping up the mountains. There are four major types of forest, varying with level of moisture. There are dry forests, wet forests, and those composed of ohia and treelike ferns and the koa tree. Bogs are found near the mountain tops. Hawaiian wildlife is unique in that the majority of it is endemic, or found only in that specific region. This is due to Hawaii's geographic isolation. Species arrived via wind, water, or flight. As a result of small populations and environmental and climatic variation within small areas, many endemic species are considered vulnerable or endangered. The Hawaiian goose, nene, is classified as vulnerable. The yellow hibiscus flower and the Hawaiian honeycreeper, po’ouli, are endangered. There are many seabirds such as boobies and petrels. There are a few introduced mammals, such as the Hawaiian wild boar, and very few reptiles, including no native snakes.