4.4 Terrestrial Communities
Research. Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, feeding, competition, and food web dynamics. Increased understanding of life histories and status helps determine the vulnerability of priority species to further imperilment, in addition to identifying possibilities for improved management and conservation. All stud- ies should provide recommendations for mitigation and restoration. Formal descriptions for known or putative undescribed species and investigations aimed at resolving taxo- nomic status are needed. • Conduct genetic studies across taxonomic groups to assess degree of population iso- lation/gene fow and determine taxonomic status (primarily bird taxa thought to be southern Appalachian endemics).
• Initiate habitat use studies for many species to assess use of microhabitats, forest age classes, and habitat spatial relationships.
• Conduct research on habitat management techniques to successfully establish mixed spruce–northern hardwood stands in non-forested areas or appropriate pure/young northern hardwood stands.
• Research phenological relationships of priority species to better understand how changing climate conditions will afect seasonal availability of food resources.
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. • Consider and implement silvicultural management at appropriate locations to enhance understory development, provide regeneration and habitat for disturbance-dependent species or early successional species, such as Golden-winged Warbler, and enhance mature forest conditions in young to middle-aged pure stands. • Expand management of existing northern hardwood forests and adjacent habitats (par- ticularly spruce–fr forests) to ensure the complete mix of age class, composition, and conditions necessary to sustain populations of a wide range of species that utilize this community. Conservation Programs and Partnerships. Conservation programs, incentives, and part- nerships should be utilized to the fullest extent in order to preserve high-quality resources and protect important natural communities. Protective measures that utilize existing regu- latory frameworks to protect habitats and species should be incorporated where applicable.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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