4.3 Wetland Natural Communities
Some of the wildlife species associated with mountain bogs require open, herbaceous habitat (e.g., Bog Turtles, Golden-winged Warblers, Meadow Voles, Meadow Jumping Mice, Bog Lemmings) while others prefer closed canopy wetlands (salamanders). In fact, for the Bog Turtle and the Southern Bog Lemming, bogs are the primary or sole habitat type in the state. Te priority amphibians associated with mountain bogs are all salamanders, though there certainly are a much larger number of amphibians found in mountain bogs. Tese sala- manders (Mole, Four-toed, Marbled, Tree-lined, and Spotted Salamanders) for the most part require pools of water, preferably without fsh, for breeding purposes. Tey are associ- ated with mountain bogs, to the extent that mountain bogs (as defned here) often contain pools of water that are utilized as breeding habitat. Teir association with mountain bogs is less related to the bog being spring fed, muddy, or with specifc plant associations than many of the other priority mountain bog species. Tese species are more suited to treat- ment of their threats/problems within the depression community’s habitat type and sur- rounding upland and intact forest corridor habitat. Loss of wetland habitat in general is a signifcant problem for these species. Beavers represent an additional unknown factor in mountain bogs and fens. Beaver impoundments may kill bog plants and food habitats used by wildlife, including rare species. Situations such as Beaver control and fre suppression by humans may not have occurred at all mountain bog sites, but their indirect impact upon mountain bog habitats through facilitation of secondary succession certainly has occurred at some sites. However, some characteristic species, such as Bog Turtles, may have beneftted from Beaver activity in the long run. 4.3.1.6 Recommendations Bogs and fens occur as small, widely separated patches in certain landscapes and will not be able to migrate in response to climate change. Tey occur in specialized hydrological environments that are not driven primarily by climate. Much of their biota ranges far to the north and little, if at all, to the south. Because the composition and suite of rare species associated with each site varies dramatically, it is important to protect many examples, and to manage appropriately. Protecting the remaining unprotected examples and conducting appropriate management in the protected examples are the most important actions for these communities. Tis includes determining the best vegetation management practices and understanding and correcting artifcial alterations to hydrology.
315
2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online