4.3 Wetland Natural Communities
Te disruptions created by shifting communities and catastrophic events may increase the spread of Common Reed. Giant Salvinia could become a problem. Early control of species that have proven more invasive farther south will be less costly and less ecologically dis- ruptive than allowing populations to become large. 4.3.6.4 Climate Change Compared to Other Threats Changes caused by rising sea level are the greatest threat, but increased intensity of storms, both in rainfall and wind, are also important. Because these systems are so subject to sea level, tidal movement, water salinity, and storms, these efects of climate change are the greatest threats. Table 4.20 summarizes the comparison of climate change with other exist- ing threats. 4.3.6.5 Impacts to Wildlife Appendix G provides a list of SGCN and other priority species for which there are knowl- edge gaps and management concerns. Appendix H provides a list of the SGCN that depend on or are associated with this habitat type. No terrestrial animals are endemic to this ecosystem group within North Carolina. Manatees, Roseate Spoonbills, and possibly other species may be able to persist in North Carolina in the future climate with warmer weather. Coastal freshwater wetlands pro- vide important habitats for bitterns, rails, and a variety of other wading and shore birds. Conversion of other habitats, especially tidal forests, to tidal freshwater marsh will occur over time, which means availability of this habitat for nesting, cover, and forage may briefy increase; however, in the long term, location and amount of such marshes is uncertain (DeWan et al. 2010) . Tidal freshwater wetlands provide nursery habitat for aquatic species that live in saltwa- ters but rely on fresh and brackish waters for larval recruitment and development. Many of these species are economically or commercially important, such as crabs, shrimp, and founder species (DeWan et al. 2010) . Coastal freshwater wetlands are also important to furbear- ers, waterfowl, and other game species. Te Rare Skipper ( Problema bulenta ) occurs solely within tidal freshwater marshes throughout its range, from New Jersey to southern Georgia. Dukes’ Skipper ( Euphyes dukesi ) is also restricted to these habitats along the Atlantic coastal portion of its range, although it also occurs inland in Florida, and in the Midwest region. Although the rea- sons for these restrictions are not clear, the larvae of both species feed on plants that occur well inland from the coast, even in North Carolina. Both of these species are potentially
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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