4.4 Terrestrial Communities
With limited dune development in many parts, maritime swamp forests are vulnerable to erosion of the foredunes and increased overwash. If erosion breaches swales and exposes them to sea water intrusion or overwash in storms, they will likely become maritime grass- lands. If they are low enough have irregular tidal inundation, they will become brackish marshes. A lack of fre to maintain some variants of these habitats is also leading to suc- cessional changes in many of these sites. Burning is almost impossible to conduct in areas surrounded by homes. Te net change in acreage of this type will likely be drastic only if sea level rises faster than new examples can develop. Increased natural disturbance by wind, salt spray, and storm surge intrusion will be signifcant. Some of these communities consist of species that can recover from these disturbances, but increased frequency will result in death and regenera- tion, more time spent in recovery stages, and shifts toward the most tolerant species. 4.4.14.4 Climate Change Compared to Other Threats Comparing climate change to other ecosystem threats can help defne short- and long-term conservation actions and recommendations. Climate change may be the biggest threat to remaining examples of this ecosystem group, especially in places where topography or development limits potential for elevational migration. A combination of synergistic efects with other existing conditions could stress these systems to the point where several species are unable to persist. Residential and commercial coastal development leading to fragmen- tation and overall reduction of habitat is the single most important factor leading to the existing loss of this habitat. Table 4.39 summarizes the comparison of climate change with other existing threats.
T ABLE 4.39 Comparison of climate change with other threats to maritime forests
Rank Order
Threat
Comments
Climate Change
1
Sea level rise may be the biggest threat, outside of development.
Development
1 Almost all maritime forest habitat is found in areas close to the beach, where human population growth is booming. Te creation of numerous small clear- ings for houses will likely have far-reaching efects on the dynamics of these habitats (Schafale and Weakley 1990) . 2 Construction of larger dunes can either prevent overwash saltwater from reaching these wetlands or trap water that might otherwise run of. Maritime wetland forests may be destroyed by impoundment, ditching, and by exten- sive well pumping that lowers the water table. 3 Control of groundwater extraction is likely to be difcult, as coastal towns seek water sources from perched aquifers that are shrinking due to erosion and saltwater intrusion. Groundwater pumping, ditching, and impoundment associated with development are threats which can be mitigated.
Drainage/ Impoundments
Groundwater Depletion
463
2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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