Brief SynthesisThe Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a major North American refuge of temperate zone flora and fauna that survived the Pleistocene glaciations. Criterion (ix): The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest remaining remnants of the diverse Arcto-Tertiary geoflora era in the world. Criterion (x): The Great Smoky Mountains is one of the most ecologically rich and diverse temperate zone protected areas in the world. Protection and management requirementsDesignated by the U.S. Congress in 1934 as a national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is managed under the authority of the Organic Act of August 25, 1916 which established the United States National Park Service. In addition, the National Park Service has established Management Policies which provide broader direction for all National Park Service units, including Great Smoky Mountains.