4.2 Aquatic Communities
that causes fooding can lead to increased stormwater runof and erosion. With increased stormwater runof, there is an increase in loading of sediments, nutrients and contami- nants into streams and potential negative efects on biota, such as fsh kills. With a change in intensity and variability of rainfall, there are potential changes to streamfow patterns, channel hydrodynamics, and the volume of groundwater (Band and Salvesen 2009; Holman et al. 2010; Bakke 2008). An increase in the number of tropical events can lead to fash fooding, which causes many of the abovementioned responses, and landslides, which are of particular concern in mountainous, high-elevation areas. Landslides lead to increased sediments and contam- inants into aquatic systems, in addition to major disruption to channel design and hydro- dynamics, potentially upsetting the physical, chemical, and biological structure of streams (Band and Salvesen 2009) . Because of potential changes in storm frequency and intensity, it is likely that channel hydrodynamics will be altered. Associated with channel hydrodynamics are changes in fow regime, sediment transport, and overall channel design. Te current pattern of rifes, runs, and pools may be altered, creating changes in aquatic species’ habitats. Increased storm intensity may cause increased erosion with large amounts of sediment that move downstream, which can then deposit into pools or bury rifes. Additionally, storms may cause the felling of riparian trees, particularly in areas with narrow riparian areas. Increased woody debris in these streams will also change channel hydrodynamics as well as available habitat. Determining how or if species adapt to changing habitats will require close monitoring to observe trends and to help inform future management decisions (Bakke 2008) . 4.2.8.4 Climate Change Compared to Other Threats Comparing climate change to other ecosystem threats can help defne short- and long-term conservation actions and recommendations. While climate change is not the most severe threat to large creeks and small rivers, a combination of the synergistic efects that come with development and lack of riparian corridors could stress these systems to the point where several species are unable to persist (see Table 4.9). 4.2.8.5 Impacts to Wildlife Appendix G includes a list of SGCN and other priority species for which there are knowl- edge gap and management concern priorities. Appendix H identifes SGCN that use large creeks or small rivers.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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