4.3 Wetland Natural Communities
Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible.
• Continue monitoring beach-nesting birds due to their high vulnerability.
• Begin monitoring potential changes to ofspring sex ratios for species with temperature-dependent sex determination (all sea turtles, Diamondback Terrapins, American Alligators). • Collect spatial information on the distribution of estuarine habitats, document their characteristics, such as salinity, water levels, plant community struction and density, and monitor marsh die-back events. Research. Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genet- ics, feeding, competition, and food web dynamics. Research must also be conducted to determine vulnerability of SGCN and other priority species to specifc threats and studies should provide recommendations for mitigation and restoration.
• Determine the migration pathways and wintering grounds for marsh birds.
• Investigate the mortality factors of sea turtles within the estuaries.
• Determine the habitat use, population levels, and distribution of priority marsh birds such as the Seaside Sparrow, Willet, Least Bittern, American Bittern, King Rail, and Black Rail. • Investigate Nutria population densities, population growth rates, dispersal range, and extent of property damage from burrowing and herbivory.
• Conduct research to better characterize the use of estuarine habitats by American Alligators.
Management Practices. Management practices that reduce impacts and work synergis- tically 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. • Allow barrier islands to migrate, as it increases their chance of survival and reduces the chance of sudden and drastic changes in tidal regime in the estuaries.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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