4.4 Terrestrial Communities
tracking changes over time in both the habitat and the associated species, and would facil- itate landscape scale management of this rare habitat. Maintenance of biologically sig- nifcant areas, including Peregrine Falcon nesting areas, reptile den sites, and signifcant salamander occurrences, is critical. Flatrocks are naturally isolated, so migration is presumably very limited. However, pres- ence of characteristic species across a number of widely separated outcrops suggests some potential for dispersal. Planting of species to facilitate movement of species to new loca- tions is probably not appropriate. Since this unique habitat type cannot be recreated, it is more important to protect good quality fatrocks with the goal of protecting the range of variability, as well as the locations for future colonization and dispersal. Surveys. Distributional and status surveys need to focus on species believed to be declin- ing or mainly dependent on at-risk or sensitive natural communities. • Map these sites in a GIS format to facilitate tracking changes over time in both the habi- tat and the associated species, and to facilitate landscape scale management of this rare habitat. • Obtain baseline data on amphibian, small mammal, and reptile communities and hab- itat use (e.g., identify Timber Rattlesnake den sites). Monitoring. Monitoring is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health and gauging the resilience of organisms to a changing climate. Tese eforts will inform future decisions on how to manage species and their habitats. Long-term monitoring is needed to identify population trends and to assess performance of conservation actions. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible.
• Continue monitoring the Peregrine Falcon population.
• Continue monitoring Green Salamander populations, as well as other salamanders of this habitat type (e.g., Crevice and Southern Zigzag salamanders). 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.
• Study the impact of various management scenarios on the habitat and associated species.
• Study Timber Rattlesnake movements, use of hibernacula, and reproductive success at gestation sites.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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