4.4 Terrestrial Communities
altering the water chemistry (Watson et al. 1997; Gillieson 1996) . Tough it rarely happens, caves can also be destroyed by aquifer drawdown, as sinkholes can form on the surface and collapse so they fll in the cave. It is usually not possible to restore a cave to its original condition after it has been degraded by human activity; for that reason, conservation is a preferred strategy (Elliott 2004) . 4.4.1.6 Recommendations Caves and mines occur across all types of land ownership. Several of the most signifcant sites have been identifed as conservation priorities. Te North Carolina Cave Survey has documented over 1,300 caves in the state (NCWRC 2005) . We have no accurate assessment of the availability of abandoned mines in North Carolina, nor do we possess information on their individual suitability for use by cave-dwelling animals or plants. Surveys. Distributional and status surveys need to focus on species believed to be declin- ing or mainly dependent on at-risk or sensitive natural communities. • Create a comprehensive, prioritized list of signifcant caves, including the factors which add signifcance (e.g., roost of endangered bats, rare geologic formations, other rare plants or animal use). • Survey for potential nesting birds in caves such as Turkey Vultures, Black Vultures, and Common Ravens.
• Inventory salamander communities associated with cave habitat (particularly in the twilight zone of caves).
• Conduct bat surveys in caves and mines that have not been previously evaluated.
• Conduct surveys for Cave Salamanders ( Eurycea lucifuga ) in areas along the Tennessee/ North Carolina border. Monitoring. Long-term monitoring of caves and mines is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health over time and gauging the resilience of organisms to a changing climate. Tese eforts will inform future decisions on how to manage species and their habitats. Studies should include identifcation of population trends, as well as assessment of impacts from conservation or development activities. Long-term monitoring sites need to be iden- tifed and monitoring protocols developed for all priority species. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible.
• Establish and implement long term monitoring protocol to document bat use of signif- cant cave/mine roosts, especially in those caves and mines that are afected by WNS.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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