Reference Document 3-1
Appendix 3
interspecific disease transmission. Scores are assigned based on whether a species is involved in the maintenance or transmission of pathogens to other wildlife species, domestic animals, or humans.
Does this species pose a threat as a disease vector toward other wildlife species, domestic animals, or humans?
(a) High threat, known to be a maintenance host and a source of pathogen transmission that could have significant and negative impacts to other wildlife, domestic animals, or humans. Management actions may be required to control transmission of the pathogen. (b) May be a spill-over host, able to maintain the pathogen for a time but requires periodic re-exposure from another source. Impacts to domestic animals and humans may not be significant. Management may not be required if transmission is naturally controlled. (c) May be a dead-end host, not able to maintain the pathogen without an external source of re-exposure. Management may not be required because transmission may be naturally controlled. (d) Unknown at this time. (e) Not a vector. Metric 16. Invasive Concerns. Natural ecosystem functions reflect the interrelationships of the native species that have evolved in that system; introduced species can change community composition in ways that alter ecosystem function (Gurevitch and Padilla 2004) . Often the mechanisms for this change are through competition that displaces native species or the ability of a species to exploit disturbances caused by other sources (e.g., development, pollution) (Scott et al. 2012, Didham et al. 2005) . Some introduced species, such as feral swine, nutria, flathead catfish, and Asian clam, can be invasive and have considerable negative effects because of their widespread distribution in the state. Others may not be as widely invasive or they may be native species that have population concentrations that can exert competitive pressures on surrounding communities (e.g., white-tailed deer, resident Canada geese, tundra swans). For the purposes of this metric, the term invasive species means those species that are either non-native or introduced. In addition, a native species that is highly concentrated to the point that they affect ecosystem function may create impacts from competitive pressures similar to an invasive species and should be considered under this metric. Quantifying the effects of invasive species can be difficult because there may also be economic gains associated with their intentional introduction or value as a harvestable species (Lapointe et al. 2011) . This metric is intended to identify and evaluate whether a species is considered invasive or a pest as related to ecosystem function without regard to the economic effects (positive or negative) of their presence. Scores are assigned based on whether a species is considered invasive and creates a threat to native populations.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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