4.3 Wetland Natural Communities
T ABLE 4.19 Comparison of climate change with other threats to inland foodplains
Rank Order
Threat
Comments
Logging/ Exploitation
1
Tis is the most destructive recent force and may get worse if drought allows more access to wetter areas.
Utility Corridors
1 Sewerlines and gaslines have already created much damage to inland foodplains. Transmission lines also fragment these foodplains. As human population increases, corridor impacts will continue to increase, as well. 2 Temperature and rainfall averages are expected to increase. More import- ant will be changes in frequency and magnitude of extreme rainfall events, which will afect food regimes. An increase in droughts is also expected. 2 Temperature increases create potential for invasion by exotic species that are already problematic farther south, such as Chinese Tallow Tree. Invasive exotic species already spreading in these systems, such as privet, Japanese honeysuckle, and Japanese grass will continue to spread regard- less of the climate, but any increased disturbance by fooding or wind storms may accelerate it. 2 Alteration of hydrology due to dam creation and the draining of wetlands are one of the primary problems afecting this habitat type. Upstream dams are signifcant on some rivers but not others. Increased drought may lead to demand for more reservoirs upstream and to more water with- drawal and interbasin transfer in all large river systems.
Climate Change
Invasive Species
Flood Regime Alteration
Conversion to Agriculture/ Silviculture
3
Somewhat signifcant in the past but most feasible conversion is already done.
maintain this feature are almost nonexistent. Migratory landbirds that use switch cane areas for breeding include Hooded Warblers, Kentucky Warblers, and Swainson’s Warblers. Floodplains are also important as movement corridors for mammals, reptiles, and amphib- ians. Birds use riparian corridors at all times of the year and these areas are especially important to neotropical migrants during the migration periods. Indeed, foodplain forests generally have the highest nesting bird concentrations in the state and they are arguably the most important habitats for birds. Floodplain pools that occur in small depressions and are fooded for a portion of the year generally have few or no trees and are espe- cially important sites for breeding amphibians such as Spotted Salamanders, Marbled Salamanders, Four-toed Salamanders, and many frogs.
4.3.5.6 Recommendations In general, protection and restoration of natural composition and function, and protection of surrounding natural areas are the best ways to improve the ability of these communities
341
2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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