4.4 Terrestrial Communities
Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Green Salamander, Seepage Salamander, Pigmy Salamanders, Tellico Salamander, and Southern Zigzag Salamander.
• Conduct surveys to understand current status of species believed to be more common, from which we can measure future population changes (e.g., the Swainson’s Warbler, Silver-haired Bat, Long-tailed Weasel, Woodland Jumping Mouse, Eastern Mole, Smoky Shrew, Masked Shrew, Spotted Salamander, Marbled Salamander, Ravine Salamander, Eastern Hognose Snake, Eastern Box Turtle, and Eastern Smooth Earth Snake). Monitoring. Long-term monitoring 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 con- servation or development activities. Long-term monitoring sites need to be identifed and monitoring protocols developed for all priority species. Monitoring plans should be coor- dinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible. Protocols and procedures developed during surveys for these various taxa should subsequently provide a means to convert from a baseline survey mode, to a long-term population trend monitoring mode at all times of the year. • Te health of Canada Hemlocks needs to be monitored, and eforts to halt the spread of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid needs to be pursued.
• An integrated pest management strategy is needed; detection and monitoring of plant pest infestations needs to be an integral part of the strategy.
• Investigate treatment options (e.g., foliar sprays, systemic soil treatments, aerial fungal pathogens, biological controls) and monitor applications to determine best method for stand-level treatments (Onken and Reardon 2005; MDA 2010) . 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 studies of bird, amphibian, reptile, and vegetation responses to gap man- agement or specifc timber harvest regimes (e.g., the Cerulean Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and various reptiles and plethodontid salamanders).
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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