Appendix 3
Ecologically Significant Species Species meeting this classification have been prioritized based upon legal and regulatory factors, range-wide and EBCI conservation status, as well as relative importance to ecosystem processes Species that are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Ecological-ESA) Species classified as Federal Species of Concern, species being assessed for listing under the ESA, or species known to be rare and/or declining on EBCI Trust lands (Ecological-Rare) Native or non-native species that threaten to cause net harm to economic or cultural values either directly or indirectly through changes to the environment or impacts to native species (Ecological-Invasive) Species that perform critical ecosystem functions and without their presence cause decline in other community members (Ecological-Keystone) Whose status is either rare or unknown as defined by EBCI Natural Resources Biodiversity It is the responsibility of the EBCI Natural Resources to improve our ecosystems by maintaining a great diversity of species to fill all essential roles in the environment. Preserving a higher biodiversity of species is critical to maintaining ecosystem services that include but are not limited to waste pollutant decomposition, maintenance of water quality and forest health, nutrient cycling and soil formation, pest/disease control, and crop pollination. Conservation targets prioritized within this category include species assemblages that perform critical ecosystem functions, and whose status is either rare or unknown as defined by EBCI Natural Resources (Appendix 2). Maintenance of biodiversity at multiple scales including the species diversity, within species genetic diversity, and habitat diversity is also necessary to provide (sustainably) material and cultural services to the Cherokee community. All native organisms found within Cherokee’s aboriginal homelands are tied to Cherokee identity and culture. The simple act of seeing the diversity of life within streams and a forest can provide a spiritual connection and is provides an economic value as a view-scape (EBCI 2013). To protect this diversity, we wish to understand the conservation status of all species native to Cherokee lands and waters and implement strategies to mitigate threats to their persistence. In the initial phases of our work, we perform much inventory and monitoring that can help us understand the biological diversity of a variety of organismal groups that exist on Cherokee
11
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator