2015 Wildlife Action Plan Addendum Proposal
you better make provisions for their specific habitat needs, at the boundary of yellow birch and red spruce forests. NC's incredible biodiversity is anchored by plant species, and adding them into the NC Wildlife Action Plan add greatly to the scope and longterm effects of the plan. The plan identifies conservation needs, and allows us to address them earlier for at-risk species. That can be more effective and ultimately reduce the need to list species. Including plants is a habitat- based approach that should benefit the native plants and the creatures they support. Our native plants are the foundation for our native ecosystems. They feed the insects that feed the birds and mammals. They are beautiful, fascinating, and they evolved here and have every right to exist. We are losing native plant habitats at an alarming rate -- as just one example, I visited New Hanover County last week, the county where I grew up, and I was absolutely stunned at the human development, and thus habitat destruction between Wilmington and Carolina Beach. We must act now to preserve what we can of our native state. There is so much rich beauty and diversity in our native habitats, but once it's gone it may be irretrievable. Native plants are a major component of the earth’s ecosystems, and they play a crucial role in sustaining the animals that are part of those ecosystems. It only makes sense to include in the plan the plants that wildlife depend on. The NC chapter of The Nature Conservancy's mission is to conserve the land and waters on which all life depends. Rare plants are a part of wildlife habitat and the specialist species that rely on them. Recognition of them in the WAP will not only help wildlife, but will also improve protection and management of these rare plants. We fully support the incorporation of plants in the list of NC's Species of Greatest Conservation Need of the Wildlife Action Plan. Native plants are a major component of the earth’s ecosystems, and they play a crucial role in sustaining the animals that are part of those ecosystems. It only makes sense to include in the plan the plants that wildlife depend on. Plants represent and support a large proportion of the state’s total biodiversity. Insects (which renowned biologist E. O. Wilson called “the little things that run the world”) sustain the earth’s ecosystems by sustaining the plants and animals that run those ecosystems. 90% of insects can complete their life cycle only on the native plants they evolved with. To continue to have a functioning ecosystem, it is imperative that the state include plants most in need of conservation in the plan. Conserving plants conserves ecosystems and all the insects, birds and fauna that live there. The Wildlife Action Plan’s goal is to keep common species common. Historically, this goal has applied only to animals. The time has come to include our native North Carolina plants in the list of species in greatest need of conservation in order to protect them before they become endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Helping conserve plants also helps us to conserve birds and other species. Native plants are a major component of the earth’s ecosystems, and they play a crucial role in sustaining the animals that are part of those ecosystems. It only makes sense to include in the plan the plants that wildlife depend on. Protecting native plants should always be a central part of any wildlife action plan. I strongly support all actions designed to protect NC flora and fauna.
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Please add plants to the list
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Our Native plants are a critical part of the ecosystem that supports us and all other life. Restoring habitat , removing invasive species and education for the benefit of us all. As an ecologist, I know that plants play a major role in supporting the animals that are generally considered 'wildlife'. In fact, plants are the structure without which animals could not survive. And we are losing many species of keystone plants and their associated 'animal' species. The ecosystem needs to be protected, not just particular species, in order for them all to thrive. Plants represent and support a large proportion of the state’s total biodiversity. Insects (which renowned biologist E. O. Wilson called “the little things that run the world”) sustain the earth’s ecosystems by sustaining the plants and animals that run those ecosystems. 90% of insects can complete their life cycle only on the native plants they evolved with. To continue to have a functioning ecosystem, it is imperative that the state include plants most in need of conservation in the plan. Conserving plants conserves ecosystems and all the insects, birds and fauna that live there. The Wildlife Action Plan’s goal is to keep common species common.
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