3.6 Freshwater Mussels
the assessment area and are presented in four separate technical reports (SAMAB 1996a) . Te aquatic technical report compiles existing region wide information on aquatic resource status and trends, riparian condition, impacts of various land management or human activities, water laws, aquatic resource improvement programs, and water uses. Te report discusses the distribution of aquatic species, identifes impacts on aquatic resources and water quality, identifes cooperative opportunities for citizens, businesses, and government agencies, and identifes future data needs for aquatic resources (SAMAB 1996b) . Te NC Museum of Natural Sciences hosts a collection of aquatic invertebrate specimens focused on mollusks, especially freshwater bivalves. Collection composition is 83% fresh- water species (mussels, fngernail clams, and snails), 10% marine species, and 7% terres- trial snails. Te Invertebrates Collection is worldwide in scope, with emphasis on localities in the eastern United States. Te holdings are comprised of collections acquired from state agencies (e.g., NCWRC), the Institutes of Marine Sciences (IMS), and a private collection from Herbert D. Athearn, Tennessee, which contained over 23,000 lots of freshwater mol- lusks. Te collection contains specimens from over 100 countries, and currently contains of over 2.3 million specimens (NCMNS n.d.) . 3.6.8 Recommendations In general, protection and restoration of natural community composition and function and protection of surrounding natural areas under current conditions are the best ways to ensure suitable habitats are available for mussels. Measures that protect a large and diverse pool of populations are the best way to ensure that species are able to survive future stresses and adapt to changing climate conditions. Basin-specifc recommendations are provided in Chapter 4 Habitats, Section 4.5 River Basins. Surveys. Distributional and status surveys need to focus on species believed to be declin- ing or mainly dependent on at-risk or sensitive natural communities. Continue species distribution surveys for all SGCN and priority species. Monitoring. Long-term monitoring is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health over time and gauging the resilience of organisms to a changing climate. Studies should include identifcation of population trends, as well as assessment of impacts from conser- vation or development activities. Tese eforts will inform species and habitat management decisions. Long-term monitoring sites need to be identifed and monitoring protocols developed for all priority species. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other exist- ing monitoring programs where feasible. Conduct long-term monitoring to identify popula- tion trends for SGCN and priority species.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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