Appendix 3
Reference Document 3-1
Metric 9. Threats. Following a best practice guide recommendation (AFWA 2012) , a list of the 11 most likely threats that will impact wildlife are considered in this assessment. The list is based primarily on the definitions and hierarchical classification scheme published by Salafsky et al. (2008) and adopted by the IUCN Conservation Measures Partnership (IUCN 2012) , with modifications. The threat of geologic events (volcanic, earthquake, and avalanches) was eliminated based on an expectation these events will have little to no impact at this time on wildlife in North Carolina. Threats are evaluated based on the anticipated impact to a species and are categorized in Table 1. Each threat description includes a summary of the sub-categories described in Salafsky et al. (2008). For example, managed timber operations can be evaluated under different threat categories depending on the activity. • 9.2 Agriculture and Aquaculture - wood and pulp plantations, includes silviculture (controlling growth and composition of a planted forest), Christmas tree farms, stands of trees planted for timber or fiber outside of natural forests, often planted with non-native or genetically modified tree species. • 9.5 Biological Resource Use – harvesting trees and other woody vegetation for timber, fiber, or fuel; clear cutting of hardwoods or natural stands, selective commercial logging, pulp operations, fuel wood collection, charcoal production. • 9.7 Natural System Modifications - threats from actions that convert or degrade habitat in service of “managing” natural or semi-natural systems (e.g., tree thinning in parks), often to improve for human welfare. • 9.8 Invasive and Other Problematic Species and Genes - introduced genetic material includes human-altered or transported organisms or genes such as pesticide resistant crops, hatchery raised fish species, genetically modified insects for biocontrol and other genetically modified species.
Table 1. Conservation Concern Metric 9 Threat Categories.
Threat Category Description
Residential & commercial development Threats are from human settlements or other nonagricultural land uses with a substantial footprint. Includes housing and urban areas; commercial and industrial areas; and tourism and recreation areas. Agriculture & aquaculture Threats are from farming and ranching as a result of agricultural expansion and intensification, including silviculture, mariculture, and aquaculture. Includes annual and perennial nontimber crops; wood and pulp plantations; and livestock farming and ranching. Energy production & mining Threats are from production of nonbiological resources, exploring for, developing, and producing petroleum and other liquid hydrocarbons. Includes: oil and gas drilling; mining and quarrying; and renewable energy.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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