4.3 Wetland Natural Communities
Surveys. Priorities for conducting distributional and status surveys need to focus on spe- cies believed to be declining or mainly dependent on at-risk or sensitive communities (NCWRC 2005) . • For many of the priority species associated with mountain bogs, we do not have a clear understanding of their current distribution within the state. We must undertake surveys to gather baseline information on the distribution and status of most of these species. Monitoring. Monitoring of taxa is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health and gauging the resilience of organisms to a changing climate. Tese monitoring eforts will inform future decisions on how to manage species. Long-term monitoring is needed to identify population trends and to assess performance of conservation actions. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible. • Given the limited availability and number of threats facing mountain bog habitat, considerable efort needs to be expended to determine if populations are increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable. • Monitor amphibian populations to detect incidence of fungal and viral infections (e.g., iridoviruses, chytridiomycosis).
• Monitor connectivity of populations separated by fragmentation.
• If Beaver activity is detected in nearby streams, monitor to detect problems from food- ing or inundation. Research. Most species and their interrelationship associated with this habitat are poorly understood. 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. Species propagation is an area of current and ongoing research. Developing techniques for propagation may become critical for preserv- ing 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. • Genetic studies to determine degree of gene fow between populations and to assess overall population health for species restricted to this habitat (i.e., Bog Turtle), given the isolated nature of mountain bogs.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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