4.5 River Basins
Basin Specifc Recommendations Surveys. General distribution of most priority species is known; however, surveys are needed to complete distributional status for some priority and invasive species (see Table 4.51). • Aquatic Snails—inventory primary distribution; determine potential habitats and dis- tribution surveys for hydrobiids. • Crayfshes—complete primary inventories and determine status of endemic and non- native species. Monitoring. Long-term monitoring is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health over time and gauging the resilience of organisms to continued impacts to state waters. Studies should include identifcation of population trends, as well as assessment of impacts from conservation or development activities and invasive species. Tese eforts will inform species and habitat management decisions. While long-term monitoring sites have been established and baseline data gathered in most areas of the basin for fshes and cray- fshes, a comprehensive approach to long-term monitoring is still lacking for mussels. Project-specifc monitoring for species restoration in the South Fork Catawba River system and other conservation actions are also needed. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible. Research. Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, 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.
• Resolve taxonomic problems and species descriptions (if required) for mussels in the genera Elliptio and Strophitus , and putative undescribed crayfshes in the basin.
• Investigate the impact of habitat fragmentation and invasive species on the basin.
• Investigate aquatic community response to stream restoration projects in priority areas.
• Investigate potential for reintroduction of priority species.
• Support research to improve habitat conditions in regulated rivers.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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