4.2 Aquatic Communities
Comparison of climate change with other threats to natural lakes
T AB LE 4 .3 1
Rank Order Comments
Threat
Pollution
1 Point and nonpoint source pollution from residential areas and other sources (e.g., 2-stroke watercraft engines) are prevalent, and nonpoint source pollution from agriculture and logging is possible for several sites. Tis pollution leads to algal blooms and low DO events ( NCWRC 2005 ). 1 Development destroys or disturbs shoreline vegetation,often extending well into the lake because of docks and boat activity associated with them. Shoreline construction creates impermeable surfaces that alter runof into the lake, often involves artifcial drainage or fll that further alters water fow, and is a source of pollution by nutrients, pathogens, and toxic chemi- cals. Most of these problems continue after construction, so past develop- ment remains an ongoing stress. 2 Invasive species are the greatest threat for some lakes. Phragmites invasion is already a problem and could increase. Herbivory and burrowing damage from Nutria are concerns because they eat a variety of wetland and agricul- tural plants and their burrowing damages streambanks, impoundments, and drainage systems. 3 If long-term average rainfall does not change, average lake levels will prob- ably remain around the same, though increased evaporation might lower them to some degree. Many lakes already have water control structures at their outlets, and have water levels that are partly artifcially manipulated. Artifcial control of lake levels by dams, ditches, or water control structures could afect overall water elevations. 4 Nonpoint source pollution from agriculture and logging is possible for sev- eral sites and can lead to algal blooms and low DO events ( NCWRC 2005 ). 4 Several lakes, including Milltail Lake, Whipping Creek Lake, Swan Creek Lake, and Hidden Lake, lie near sea level and are connected to the sounds by creeks. Several of the more unique lakes of the central Pamlimarle Peninsula are connected to the sounds by canals, increasing the risk of damage to them. Te small lakes in Dare and Tyrrell County will almost certainly be lost because of rising sea level. Te large lakes of the Pamlimarle Peninsula, such as Lake Mattamuskeet and Lake Phelps, lie at the highest elevations in the area, but may be afected if sea level rise is greater than the mid-level scenario. 4 Climate change will potentially have a direct infuence on availability of thermal habitats in aquatic environments, which in turn can become a constraint to feeding habitat access and subsequent consequences on spe- cies growth (DeWan et al. 2010) .
Development
Invasive Species
Impoundments
Logging/ Exploitation
Climate Change— Sea Level Rise
Climate Change
4.2.12.5 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 natural lake systems.
In particular, natural lakes and immediately adjacent cover (especially the smaller ponds) provide habitat for wading birds and shorebirds for foraging, and also important breeding
290
2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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