Appendix 3
Reference Document 3-1
2025 Ranking Criteria Metrics The ranking criteria metrics were developed to assist with the prioritization process that identifies SGCN. There are three categories: (1) Conservation Needs, (2) Knowledge Gaps, and (3) Management Concerns/Needs. The answer scale of each metric was designed to represent empirical data that can be applied to the different taxa groups. While the Conservation Need metrics consider the status of species both within the state and where they occur elsewhere (range-wide), the Knowledge Gap and Management Concern metrics consider only the occurrences in North Carolina. 1. Conservation Need Category (Metrics 1 through 9) The Conservation Need category is designed to evaluate biological vulnerability by considering the global and regional status and trends of a species (wherever it occurs) as well as its local status (wherever it occurs in North Carolina). Many species found in North Carolina have resident as well as migratory populations that range across a wide area outside the state. Metrics that consider the global and regional status of a species can help identify those at risk globally or regionally so we can prioritize conservation efforts to secure local populations and protect biodiversity (Wells et al. 2010) . Metric 1. Conservation Protection Status. This metric represents the current federal or state listed status of a species. Both federal and state listing processes use scientifically based evaluation and ranking methods to develop listing recommendations. In many cases, continuing species-specific conservation efforts will be required to maintain viable populations of these species (Scott et al. 2010) . It is important that these species remain a priority for conservation efforts statewide. Scores have been assigned based on the highest protection status currently applied to the species.
What is the current conservation protection status? (This information will be provided and reviewers will not need to select a status.)
(a) Federal and NC State Listed as Endangered (E) or Threatened (T) (b) NC State Listed Endangered (E) (c) NC State Listed Threatened (T) (d) Federal Candidate Species (C) (e) NC State Special Concern (SC) (f) None
Global and Regional Status Metrics 2 through 4 consider global and regional status that in many cases will extend beyond the state’s boundaries. If a species is endemic to the state, we consider its range-wide distribution to be North Carolina.
2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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