Appendix 3
Reference Document 3-1
Metric 13. Population Size (survey, monitoring, and research priorities). Some populations are naturally dynamic because of life history strategies (r- selected versus k-selected species) while others may fluctuate on a generational, seasonal, or periodic basis depending on various environmental or biodiversity factors. Multiple strategies may be needed to understand the dynamics of a species’ population size so this metric will help prioritize the survey, monitoring or research needs to understand a species’ population size. Scores are assigned based on the availability of data or knowledge about statewide population size.
What is the level of knowledge about the species’ population size in North Carolina?
(a) Population size is uncertain. (b) Population size is somewhat known but estimates are expected to have high variance. (c) Population size is somewhat known but estimates are expected to have low to moderate variance. (d) Population size is well known. Metric 14. Threats Assessment (research priorities). This metric is to independently prioritize each threat category described in Metric 9 (see Table 1) and listed below for importance as a research topic for the species. The maximum concern could be assigned to all threats but it would be unrealistic to expect adequate resources could be assigned or that it would be feasible to conduct research on all of the topics. A more reasonable approach is to consider how likely each threat category is to contribute to the extinction risk for a species over the next 10-year planning horizon. This time period correlates with the minimum requirement to reevaluate and revise the SWAP on a 10-year cycle.
Metric 14 Threat Categories
1
Residential & commercial development
2
Agriculture & aquaculture
3
Energy production & mining
4
Transportation & service corridors
5
Biological resource use
6
Human intrusions & disturbance
7
Natural system modifications
8
Invasive & other problematic species & genes
9
Pollution
10
Climate change & severe weather
11
Disease & pathogens
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
19 of 31
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator