4.4 Terrestrial Communities
mesic mixed hardwood forest bluf/slope variant are found in Croatan National Forest, Merchant’s Millpond State Park, and Clifs of the Neuse State Park. Examples of the swamp island variant are found in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and along the Waccamaw River in Columbus County, and examples of the upland fat variant are found in Perquimans and Bertie counties. 4.4.9.3 Problems Affecting Habitats Tere may be an increase in natural fres (due to increased drought and higher average temperatures), but landscape fragmentation and fre suppression practices will likely con- tinue to prevent most fres from spreading very far in the Piedmont and in the dissected lands in the Coastal Plain where mesic forests occur. Mesic forests occur in sites sheltered from most fres, but wildfre during drought may increase the likelihood or severity of fres in them. Te importance of drought and hot spells in mesic sites is unclear. Most of these sites are mesic because of topographic sheltering such as north-facing slopes or deep ravines. Tese sites are bufered from extremes of weather. However, because they contain many species that are not adapted to hot and dry conditions, they may sufer stress from even slightly drier conditions. Although we are not aware of any identifed problems from phenological disruption, there may be higher potential for it in these communities than others, because they have many spring ephemeral plants. An increase in hurricanes or other severe storms likely would increase wind damage in forests. Increased storm disturbance will increase the potential for exotic plant invasion, especially if a seed source is present in nearby developed or disturbed areas, or has already entered the community. Wind damage is often more severe in forests if there are adjacent openings such as logged or developed areas. If more intense storms increase food heights, this will afect lower lying mesic forests. If wind throw stimulates salvage logging, this will further increase the damage to natural areas. 4.4.9.4 Climate Change Compared to Other Threats Comparing climate change to other ecosystem threats can help defne short- and long-term conservation actions and recommendations. Te greatest threats to Piedmont and Coastal Plain Mesic Forests are those from development and logging which are ongoing land uses. Climate change is less of a threat than ongoing concerns, but will exacerbate some of them. Although expected threats associated with climate change are the least signifcant to these forests, increased wind damage, droughts, and warmer temperatures may alter their struc- ture and size. Table 4.34 summarizes the comparison of climate change with other existing threats.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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