4.5 River Basins
T ABLE 4.86 SGCN in the Watauga River Basin
Federal/ State Status*
Taxa Group CRAYFISH
Scientifc Name
Common Name
Cambarus eeseeohensis
Grandfather Mountain Crayfsh
FSC/—
Cottus carolinae
FISH
Banded Sculpin
— —
Salvelinus fontinalis Lasmigona subviridis
Brook Trout (Native)
MUSSEL
Green Floater
FSC/E
* See Table 4.43 in Section 4.5.3.2 for abbreviations.
species and habitat management decisions. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible.
• Continue periodic monitoring of priority areas and species. Te status of Green Floater, petitioned for federal listing, is of particular interest. 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.
• Investigate aquatic community response to restoration projects in priority areas.
• Investigate potential for species reintroduction in the basin, particularly native mussels in the Watauga River. • Obtain more information on impacts and mitigation of water withdrawals in headwater systems. In addition to the SGCN species found in the basin (see Table 4.86), a list of knowledge-gap priority species is provided in Table 4.87. 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. In addition, education about, and regulation and prevention of the introduction and spread of exotic or invasive species are vital. Specifc issues in this basin include secondary and cumulative impacts upon water
629
2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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