4.2 Aquatic Communities
Research. Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, feeding, competition, and food web dynamics. Research must also be conducted to deter- mine vulnerability of priority species to specifc threats and studies should provide recom- mendations for mitigation and restoration. Aquatic species propagation is an area of cur- rent and ongoing research. Developing techniques for the propagation of aquatic species is critical for preserving those species and their genetic stock, particularly those that are rare, at high risk of extinction or extirpation, and difcult to propagate in a laboratory setting.
• Track and identify problems associated with avian vacuolar myelinopathy that cause mortality in American Coots, other waterfowl and Bald Eagles (Augspurger et al. 2003) .
• Assess the impacts of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission-mandated changes in water releases at hydroelectric dams on priority species.
• Study the impacts of commercial collecting of turtles on population dynamics, and the impact that the 2003 turtle law may have on the trade. Tis 2003 Session Law amended General Statute 113-333(a) to limit possession and commercial taking of certain amphibian and reptile species when NCWRC determined the species requires conser- vation measures to prevent addition of the species to the protected animal lists. Section 3.1.1 provides additional information about General Statutes in North Carolina. Management. Management practices that reduce impacts and work synergistically with other conservation actions are needed to enhance the resilience of natural resources. Particular needs include preserving biodiversity, protecting native populations and their habitats, and improving degraded habitats. • Maintain natural shoreline vegetation and the structure of adjacent terrestrial habitats if possible (many wetland-related amphibian and reptile species rely on both aquatic and drier upland sites for their life history and seasonal migrations).
• Retain or create snags, logs, rocks, and other structures used by basking reptiles.
• Reduce disturbance and development along raceways and near Bald Eagle nest trees.
• Identify invasive and exotic species, their impacts on native wildlife, and practical methods for removal or control.
• Plant native vegetation where appropriate to provide aquatic and terrestrial habitat and to reduce erosion and sedimentation. Conservation Programs and Partnerships. Conservation programs, incentives, and partnerships should be utilized to the fullest extent to preserve high-quality resources and
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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