3.1 Introduction
actions. A complete list of management priority species by taxonomic group can be found in Sections 3.2 through 3.12; a complete list of all SGCN and priority species is in Appendix G.
3.1.3 Species and Habitat Associations A discussion about species will necessarily require consideration for the natural com- munities that provide the habitats they occupy. To aid the discussion about conservation and management actions, we have developed species–habitat association information for SGCN. Te resulting species–habitat matrix is organized by ecoregions of the state (Mountain, Piedmont, Sandhills, and Coastal Plain) for the aquatic, wetland, and terrestrial communities described in Chapter 4 and depicted in Figure 4.1. Since natural communities are composed of many diferent species and trophic levels, information about the functional relationships between and amongst the species found in these communities are also discussed in Chapter 4. Groups of species that use the same resources but are not taxonomically related are often referred to as an ecological guild. Te guild concept is often used to provide a framework for discussions about survey, research, and monitoring needs and conservation recommendations that beneft multiple species and the natural communities they occupy. A few important guilds and other types of spe- cies associations are discussed in Sections 3.2 through 3.12.
Tables showing associations between SGCN and the habitats described in Chapter 4 are provided in Appendix H for the eight taxonomic groups evaluated by Taxa Teams.
3.1.4 Population Objectives As noted in the 2005 WAP, specifc population objectives are difcult to assess for the majority of fsh and wildlife in North Carolina due to data limitations and knowledge gaps that need to be flled. Survey, monitoring, and research eforts have since contributed to improving our knowledge base, but with little more than 10 years of data accumulated for many species, there is still much we do not know or understand about many of the species found in North Carolina. Due to the mostly strategic (and not operational) nature of this Plan, we have not identi- fed specifc population objectives for each species mentioned herein. However, for some species, such as birds and marine fsh, data to assess population level objectives developed through the cooperative eforts of specifc conservation partnerships may be available. Examples of these partnerships include the North American Bird Conservation Initiative, Atlantic Coast Joint Venture, and the regional Fisheries Management Councils. Recovery plans for species on the federal threatened and endangered species list also identify
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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