5.3 Residential and Commercial Development
Bald eagles and colonial nesting waterbirds have been known to abandon their nests when development takes place during the nesting season within 330 feet or more of their nests (Rogers and Smith 1995; Carney and Sydeman 1999; USFWS 2007) . Converting pervious land surfaces to impervious surfaces such as roads, rooftops, and parking lots alters stream hydrology by increasing surface runof during rain events and reducing infltration. An increase in imperviousness causes streamfows to increase more rapidly following rain events and subside more quickly. With less rainfall soaking into the ground, there is less groundwater to contribute to basefows. Altered stream hydrology can impact aquatic communities. Contamination originating from developed areas can fow into surface waters used by aquatic species and breeding and larval amphibians when stormwater runof and other nonpoint sources carry toxic materials such as gas and oil and chemical pest control treatments from lawns and felds. Road projects and mining in areas with acidic rock types can degrade streams. Development often encroaches on foodplains, reducing lateral connectivity and exacer- bating food damage to streams and riparian areas. Reduced or eliminated riparian bufers along streams results in increased water temperatures and less stable stream banks, lead- ing to increased sedimentation. Increased numbers of road crossings, particularly culverts, further fragments streams and other aquatic systems, leading to reduced organism move- ments and gene fow. In the Coastal Plain ecoregion, development and use of beaches increases impacts to nesting seabirds and other waterbirds, Diamondback Terrapins, and sea turtles. Lack of living shorelines along open waterbodies will increase erosion and further reduce forage, nesting areas, and cover for wildlife. Development of barrier islands, coastal forest, and wetland communities further reduces natural habitat that is already highly fragmented, which may completely isolate and threaten species with specialized life histories and limited movement ability. Examples include the Buxton Woods White-footed Deermouse, Eastern Woodrat, Eastern Coral Snake, and many amphibian species. Development of uplands adjacent to brackish wetlands impacts species such as the Diamondback Terrapin and waterbirds. Tidal swamp forests and species are also particularly threatened by development. In the Sandhills and Coastal Plain ecoregions, impacts in landscapes surrounding upland pools, depressions and seeps, and wet and mesic pine savannas are of particular con- cern for winter-breeding amphibian species and seasonal wetland reptiles, such as the Chicken Turtle, Pine Barrens Treefrog, and Mabee’s Salamander. Bachmann’s Sparrow, Bobwhite Quail, Loggerhead Shrike, and Red-cockaded Woodpecker are also of major concern. Development in and adjacent to forested wetlands, mesic forests, and foodplains
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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