4.4 Terrestrial Communities
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. • With the vast majority of cove hardwood habitat in mid-successional stages, eforts should be directed toward increasing older age classes of cove hardwoods by both lengthening harvest rotation recommendations for timberland owners, and exploring whether we can mimic old growth gap dynamic conditions through selective harvest- ing techniques in mid- to late-successional cove hardwood stands. • Protect riparian areas and control impervious surfaces and stormwater runof to reduce food damage to cove forests in altered watersheds, as well as protect the aquatic systems. • Protect cove forests from severe wildfre during drought periods to prevent catastrophic disturbance. In more favorable periods, prescribed burning of surrounding landscapes would help reduce the risk of controllable wildfre, as well as beneftting the upland communities. 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. Land conservation or preservation can serve numerous purposes in the face of anticipated climate change, but above all, it promotes ecosystem resilience. • Add to our base of conservation ownership for future generations of the wildlife species associated with the habitat, as well as the use and enjoyment of them by future genera- tions of North Carolinians.
• Protect examples in the most sheltered sites, and those that serve as landscape connec- tions to other patches.
4.4.5 Mafc Glades and Barrens 4.4.5.1 Ecosystem Description
Tere are three types of barrens in the state: ultramafc outcrop barren, diabase glade, and high-elevation mafc glade. Glades located in the Mountain ecoregion are adapted to a cooler, moister climate and may be more drought tolerant than locations in the Piedmont ecoregion. However, mountain locations may be more susceptible to alteration than Piedmont glades because of residential development.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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