Reference Document 3-1
Appendix 3
Table 1. Conservation Concern Metric 9 Threat Categories.
Threat Category Description
Transportation & service corridors Threats are from long, narrow transport corridors and the vehicles that use them including associated wildlife mortality. Includes roads and railroads; utility and service lines; shipping lines; and flight paths. Biological resource use Threats are from Consumptive use of “wild” biological resources including deliberate and unintentional harvesting effects; also persecution or control of specific species. Includes hunting and collecting terrestrial animals; gathering terrestrial plants; logging and wood harvesting; and fishing and harvesting aquatic resources. Human intrusions & disturbance Threats are from human activities that alter, destroy and disturb habitats and species associated with nonconsumptive uses of biological resources. Includes all recreational activities; military exercises; work and other activities (research, vandalism, law enforcement, illegal activities). Natural system modifications Threats are from actions that convert or degrade habitat in service of “managing” natural or seminatural systems, often to improve human welfare. Includes fire and fire suppression; man-made dams and water management/use; other ecosystem modifications (land reclamation; shoreline hardening; beach reconstruction, snag removal from streams, etc.). Invasive & other problematic species & genes Threats from non-native and native plants, animals, pathogens/ microbes, or genetic materials that have or are predicted to have harmful effects on biodiversity following their introduction, spread and/or increase in abundance. Includes invasive non-native/alien species; problematic native species (e.g., beavers); introduced genetic material (e.g., genetically modified insects; hatchery or aquaculture raised species). Pollution Threats from introduction of exotic and/or excess materials or energy from point and nonpoint sources. Includes household sewage and urban waste water; industrial and military effluents; agricultural and forestry effluents; garbage and solid waste; air-borne pollutants; and excess energy (e.g., ambient noise, sonar, cold or hot water from power plants, beach lights, etc.). Climate change & severe weather Long-term climatic changes that may be linked to global warming and other severe climatic or weather events outside the natural range of variation that could wipe out a vulnerable species or habitat. Includes habitat shifting and alteration; droughts; temperature extremes; storms and flooding.
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
9.10
9.11 Disease & Pathogens Threats are from bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi, and parasites. This category includes exotic or introduced pathogens, prion (non-viral, non-bacterial) disease, and zoonotic diseases. Wildlife species may act as hosts or reservoirs. Classification of Threats (1 - 10) adopted from Salafsky et al. (2008).
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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