4.4 Terrestrial Communities
low-elevation rock outcrops include development and recreational impacts. However, low-elevation rock outcrops are subjected to short-term habitat alterations (e.g., forestry operations) more often than high-elevation rock outcrops due to land ownership patterns, proximity to markets, accessibility, and other factors. 4.4.7.4 Climate Change Compared to Other Threats Comparing climate change to other ecosystem threats can help defne short- and long-term conservation actions and recommendations. While climate change is not the most severe threat, a combination of synergistic efects with other existing conditions could stress these systems to the point where several species are unable to persist. Te efect of a changed climate is likely to vary widely among examples of these commu- nities, depending on topographic sheltering, confguration of rocks and soil depth. Tese systems are tied to specialized small environments and will be unable to migrate as the climate changes. Many may change very little, while a few will shrink, will be disturbed by wind or food, or will change substantially because of temperature changes or drought. Table 4.32 summarizes the comparison of climate change with other existing threats.
T ABLE 4.32 Comparison of climate change with other threats to high-elevation clifs and rock outcrops
Rank Order
Threat
Comments
Climate Change
1 Changes in temperature and mild winters will likely create the most impacts. Given the high number of endemics and disjuncts, climate-related changes greatly threaten biodiversity. Reduced winter snow and lack of seasonal snow packs will have negative efects on soil moisture. 2 Trampling from recreational users (hikers and rock climbers) is probably the most immediate anthropogenic threat. 3 Logging and development are possible on private tracts. Development may not directly impact outcrops, but may increase access and therefore trampling. 3 Trees and shrubs may invade if enough water is available during the growing season. Intrusion by alder, rhododendron, and other woody plants can cause rock outcrops to become overgrown. 4 As temperatures increase, native and exotic species from lower elevations may be able to invade these areas more easily. Coltsfoot is the most common exotic species in high-elevation rock outcrops. 5 Tere has been suggestion that air pollution could be having an impact upon the high-elevation rock communities of western North Carolina ( TNC and SAFC 2000 ); however, there has not been defnitive evidence of air pollution impacts upon wildlife species associated with high-elevation rock outcrops.
Trampling
Development
Woody Succession
Invasive Species
Pollution
419
2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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