4.4 Terrestrial Communities
4.4.7.5 Impacts to Wildlife Appendix G provides a list of SGCN and other priority species for which there are knowl- edge gaps and management concerns. Appendix H identifes SGCN that depend on or are associated with this habitat type. While high-elevation rock outcrop habitat and low-elevation clifs/rock outcrops support many of the same animals and plants, there are species of both plants and animals that are found exclusively at high-elevation rock communities (e.g., the Rock Vole, Long-tailed Shrew, Allegheny Woodrat, and several rare plant species), and others found only in low-elevation clifs/rock outcrop habitats (e.g., the Southern Appalachian Woodrat, Spotted Skunk, and Crevice, Green, and Southern Zigzag salamanders). Te elevation limit for each of these species varies; however, there are distinctions in animal assemblages in rock habi- tats that are defned by elevation. For many species associated with high-elevation rock outcrops, we do not currently know the entire spectrum of threats that are afecting populations due to inadequate levels of study or knowledge. Individual wildlife and plant species may face threats specifc to either their particular location or the species itself. For example, Timber Rattlesnakes face threats in addition to habitat loss, including being subject to collection, disturbance of hibernac- ula/gestation sites, and persecution. Tere has been considerable efort undertaken in the northeastern United States to determine the impact upon Allegheny Woodrat populations from a roundworm parasite that may have impacted populations in that region ( McGowan 1993; Stone et al. 1993 ), though no studies have been conducted within North Carolina to assess the level of threat posed to North Carolina woodrat populations. Te decline of Peregrine Falcons during the last half of the 20th century has been widely attributed to the use of DDT and its concomitant efect on bird reproduction. Te use of DDT was banned and Peregrine Falcon restoration eforts occurred in the late 1980s and 1990s; however the falcons still face threats due to habitat loss to development and recre- ation impacts at individual clif sites. Furthermore, the North Carolina population remains at fairly low density, thereby increasing the threat of stochastic events having signifcant population impacts. Te insect fauna of high-elevation rock outcrops is not yet well studied and a number of additional species may yet be added. Te landscape requirements of these guilds also need more study. Two endemic spiders in the Lampshade genus ( Hypochilus ) would be particu- larly vulnerable to extinction if they are intolerant to increases in temperature and drought, which seems likely (Huf and Coyle 1992) . Teir current restriction to extremely small ranges suggests that they have only a low level of dispersal ability and may be unable to shift their ranges fast enough to keep up with environmental change. Competition with the more
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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