4.4 Terrestrial Communities
likely, at least some examples can survive if given sufcient protection and where natural beach cycles are allowed to operate. 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. • Surveys are needed to document the distribution, relative abundance and status of wildlife species associated with these beach/dune habitats. Priorities for conducting surveys need to focus on species believed to be declining, at risk, or mainly dependent on these communities.
• Secondary priority for surveys should be for species for which current distribution information is already available or for species that are considered common.
• Conduct shorebird surveys throughout the year to better understand population fuctu- ations for breeding, wintering, and migratory birds (especially Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, and Wilson’s Plover).
• Determine distribution and status of wintering shorebirds ( Sprandel et al. 2000 ).
Monitoring. Long-term monitoring is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health over time and gauging the resilience of organisms to a changing climate. Tese eforts will inform future decisions on how to manage species and their habitats. Studies should include identifcation of population trends, as well as assessment of impacts from conserva- tion or development activities. Long-term monitoring sites need to be identifed and moni- toring protocols developed for all priority species. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible.
• Continue support for regular colonial waterbird surveys (currently conducted coast-wide roughly every three years).
• Continue sea turtle nest and stranding monitoring.
• Monitor introduced nonnative species efects (especially plants and invertebrates) on native coastal wildlife, including sea turtles.
• Monitor status and reproductive success of Gull-billed Terns, Common Terns, Least Terns, Black Skimmers, Piping Plovers, and Caspian Terns.
• Determine seasonal numbers and distribution of shorebirds (Dinsmore et al. 1998) .
Research. Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics,
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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