4.4 Terrestrial Communities
destructive. Increased prescribed burning will produce a more open canopy, reduced understory, increased herb cover with more grasses, and longer lasting canopy gaps.
Direct efects of the warmer climate on these communities are likely to be limited. Similar oak forests range well to the south of North Carolina where normal temperatures are higher. Te most severe droughts and hot spells of recent record have had only limited efects on them. Tey can occupy some of the driest places on the Piedmont landscape. Increased drought may possibly favor oaks, but increased wind damage favors the under- story species. If drought leads to severe wildfres, it would be harmful to oak forests, but the ease with which fres may usually be controlled in them makes this unlikely. 4.4.11.4 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 a signifcant concern for these communities, several other threats are more severe and may be a more imme- diate threat. Both the extensive examples in the Piedmont and the more limited range in the Coastal Plain continue to be rapidly destroyed by ongoing urban, suburban, rural, residential and commercial development. Continued population growth makes this the most severe threat, in the current and the future climate. However, the fragmentation and loss of extent caused by it will increase the alteration caused by climate change, as isolated communities are unable to migrate and species are unable to move to more favorable sites. Table 4.36 summarizes the comparison of climate change with other existing threats. 4.4.11.5 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. Development causes direct loss of forest habitat and also fragments remaining forested patches. Fragmentation of forests into smaller contiguous blocks is a concern for forest interior birds (like Wood Trush and Hooded Warbler), which may occur in lower densities or sufer lower productivity or survival in small habitat patches. Animals with large home ranges or dispersal needs may become isolated or absent in small tracts. Fragmentation by roads and development can be particularly problematic for reptiles (particularly Timber Rattlesnake). Historical data suggests that oak communities benefted from periodic fres (Abrams 1992; Close 1996) , and many oak species are fre tolerant. In pine stands, fre can play a very import- ant role in reducing the midstory while enhancing structure in the understory. Fire helps
444
2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online