Appendix 3
Reference Document 3-1
Assign scores based on the most restricted area (range) within NC over which the species is distributed (number of counties or river basins) or where it is expected to occur based on habitat availability. Historical occurrence is not considered if appropriate habitat is no longer available.
What is the estimated range size for the species in North Carolina?
(a) Terrestrial: 1 – 2 counties – or – Fish, Mussels, Crayfish: 1 river basin (b) Terrestrial: 3 – 5 counties – or – Fish, Mussels, Crayfish: 2 river basins (c) Terrestrial: 6 – 10 counties – or – Fish, Mussels, Crayfish: 3 river basins (d) Terrestrial: 11 – 25 counties – or – Fish, Mussels, Crayfish: 4 – 6 river basins (e) Terrestrial: 26 – 50 counties – or – Fish, Mussels, Crayfish: 7 – 10 river basins (f) Terrestrial: More than 50 counties (or statewide) – or – Fish, Mussels, Crayfish: 11 or more river basins (or statewide) Metric 7. Population Trend (short-term). Long-term distribution trends for a species may document an overall decline in population; however, more recent data may indicate the population is stable or increasing in North Carolina. The short-term trend (within the last 20 to 40 years) in number of individuals throughout the range in North Carolina will recognize declining NC populations without regard to the species’ population status across its entire range. Annual recruitment may not be sufficient to sustain population size or result in population growth because sexually mature adults are not able or have diminished capacity to reproduce, and/or particular age classes have abnormally low survival rates. Examples of short-term trends that have been noted for conservation concern in the past include population declines of box turtles, long-tailed weasels, and grasshopper sparrows. Other short-term trends can represent population growth (e.g., white-tailed deer, wild turkey) or populations that have stabilized after past declines (e.g. red-cockaded woodpecker). Scores are assigned based on recent trends within the last 20 years that relate to the number of individuals throughout the species’ range in NC (Millsap et al. 1990) . Base the evaluation on the most restricted area (range) within NC over which the species is distributed (number of counties or river basins or HUC12s) or where it is expected to occur based on habitat availability.
2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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