i promise the map of salamander diversity is not what you expect

Appalachia numero uno salamander capital of the world baby <3 there are like 70 something species in North Carolina alone

Basically its cause they evolved here!

The U.S. states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama also have the most biodiverse freshwater ecosystems in the world.

The Appalachian Mountains are notable for having the world's greatest diversity of tree species in a temperate forest, with over 100 species of tree that make up the forest. They're also a global hotspot of lichen biodiversity.

Fun fact, dozens of genera of plants only have 2 species in them, one found in Appalachia and one found in SE Asia. These are called vicariad species pairs. Eastern Asia and Appalachia has very similar climates, that's why all the major Appalachian invasive species, such as Kudzu, are from eastern Asia

The SE United States has some of the nation's most biodiverse ecosystems but they are also some of the least protected.