4.3 Wetland Natural Communities
of new stands located farther inland. Table 4.21 summarizes the comparison of climate change with other existing threats.
4.3.7.5 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 identifes SGCN that depend on or are associated with nonalluvial mineral wetlands. Tese sites are important for variety of neotropical migrants during the breeding season and migration periods ( Hunter et al. 2000b; Johns 2004 ), and also several reptiles of conserva- tion concern ( NCWRC 2005 ). Wayne’s Black-throated Green Warbler is nearly confned to non-riverine swamp forests throughout its narrow range from Virginia to South Carolina. Tis taxon is declining throughout its range, and loss of the population on the Albemarle– Pamlico Peninsula (believed to be the largest remaining) due to rising sea levels would sig- nifcantly reduce the chances of its survival overall. Storm-related impacts to the Wayne’s Black-throated Green Warbler could be particularly severe, since it is a canopy-dwelling species that is often found in the vicinity of tall conifers (likely nesting sites) that emerge above a canopy of hardwoods ( Fussell et al. 1995 ). Likewise, the coastal population of the
T ABLE 4.21 Comparison of climate change with other threats to nonalluvial mineral wetlands
Rank Order Comments
Threat
Climate Change
1 Much of the protected acreage is in low elevation areas that are partic- ularly threatened by rising sea level. Areas in Dare and Tyrrell Counties are already being converted to tidal communities and this efect is likely to accelerate. 1 Hydrological alteration, in the form of ditches, increases the threat of rising sea level. Ditches bring tidal water into low-lying examples, caus- ing it to penetrate inland into the nonalluvial wetlands. 1 Nonalluvial mineral wetlands tend to be converted for forestry and agri- culture more readily since the mineral soils can support heavy equip- ment better than organic soils, and they are more fertile. Te condition of nonalluvial mineral wetlands is generally poor due to alternation of hydrology (primarily from draining for farmland and conversion to Loblolly Pine plantation) and is rather fragmented. 2 Nonnative plant species (e.g., Chinese Privet, Japanese Stiltgrass) are also competing with native vegetation in many areas, especially those frequently disturbed. Several potential threats, including Chinese Tallow Tree and Gypsy Moth may become signifcant even if the climate does not change. Invasive species are currently a signifcant problem only in the rarer community types. Wet marl forest is highly threatened by invasive plants.
Flood Regime Alteration
Conversion to Agriculture/Silviculture
Invasive Species
353
2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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