Appendix 3
APPENDICES Wildlife species have been identified as conservation targets based upon factors that directly impact the Cherokee people’s livelihood and well-being. The following criteria are assessed in this management document to develop conservation target priorities and direct management actions. All species that meet one or more of the following criteria are considered Cherokee Species of Concern (CSC) and are further sub-categorized based upon primary and secondary cultural or ecological values (Table 1.). We organize our current priority targets (conservation targets) and any projects associated with each target according to the services they provide for the tribe, or the ecosystem. Each year, we adjust our methods and strategies based on results and data collected in previous years as well as any new social or cultural information or needs that arise during the year. Social changes occur when, for example, tribal citizens or leaders decide to add a new value (usually economic or cultural) to a target. Changes also occur when species become federally listed under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. We might also gain more knowledge about the cultural importance of a species. Another portion of the adaptive process comes when we alter our conservation work. For example, we might have been surveying a species for a number of years and decide to monitor for any changes in their population. This adaptation from inventory to monitoring allows us to determine how well a species is doing. If we determine that a species, we are monitoring has declined or no longer occurs in a location, this could lead to questions. These questions form the basis of research. Within the tables below, we walk through our adaptive management process, first stating our management goal, the history of the target as well as any previous projects involving that target and how the project has evolved over the years. Next, we detail our current project methodology, any results we may have for the year and finally any adjustments we plan to incorporate into our methods in the following year. In addition, we have listed what kind of service these conservation targets provide, which gives some insight into our reasoning behind prioritizing the species or community of animals. The table below explains each contributed service that may be listed below each target.
Table 1.
Contributed Service
Definition
Cultural
A non-material benefit that contributes to the development and cultural advancement of people (ex. spiritual, recreational, sense of place). Any type of benefit to people that can be extracted from nature (ex. Food, Water, Fiber, Fuel). Benefit(s) provided by ecosystem processes that moderate natural phenomena (ex. climate, wastes, pest & disease control). Services that help the ecosystem supply other services (ex. nutrient cycles, soil creation, pollination, flood control). Contributes to the variety of life in the world or a particular habitat or ecosystem. Provides monetary value (direct or indirect) to the tribe.
Provisioning
Regulating
Supporting
Biodiversity
Economic
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
22
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator