4.4 Terrestrial Communities
feeding, competition, and food web dynamics. Increased understanding of life histories and status helps determine the vulnerability of priority species to further imperilment, in addition to identifying possibilities for improved management and conservation. All stud- ies should provide recommendations for mitigation and restoration. Formal descriptions for known or putative undescribed species and investigations aimed at resolving taxo- nomic status are needed. • Identify causal factors responsible for low beach-nesting bird reproductive success; initiate predator impact studies (e.g., ghost crabs, Fire Ants, gulls, foxes, Raccoons, feral cats, etc.) (Wolcott and Wolcott 1999) .
• Experiment more with creation of overwash fans or ephemeral ponds for nesting or foraging birds.
• Continue sea turtle DNA research to better determine nesting habits and needs.
• Work with owners and managers of buildings containing nesting least terns to increase reproductive success while allowing owners/managers to maintain good public relations. Management Practices. Management practices that reduce impacts and work synergis- tically with other conservation actions are needed to enhance the resilience of natural resources. Particular needs include preserving biodiversity, protecting native populations and their habitats, and improving degraded habitats. • Although protected by law in North Carolina, feral horse herds should be restricted from some areas where they currently roam free. Such restriction would be particularly benefcial at Shackleford Banks and Currictuck National Wildlife Refuge (Porter et al. 2014) . Fence of portions of barrier islands where feral horses still occur to allow recovery of maritime grassland communities. • Where sand supply is abundant and substrate is appropriate, restore overwash pro- cesses that carry sand from the seaward to the landward side of an island and may allow landward migration and improve prospects for survival. • Collect seeds of the rarest plant species associated with maritime grasslands (especially annual species) to protect genetic diversity and maintain a source of local material that can be used to reestablish populations if species are extirpated or severely impacted within North Carolina.
• Control predators (not limited to exotic species) through education eforts, trapping, or other means to increase sea turtle and beach-nesting bird reproductive success.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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