Reference Document 5-2
Appendix 5
identify those species that warranted identification as a regional priority. Additionally, the science teams characterized the level of conservation concern for each regional priority, ranging from moderate to high and very high concern. Through this established process, the RSGCN list can be updated as the States’ SGCN lists change over time. See Table 8 for list of RSGCN by taxa and levels of concern. Out of the total animal RSGCN list, two-thirds are freshwater fish, crayfish, and freshwater mussels. The number of RSCGN that are considered the stewardship responsibilities of each state varies widely (Figure 6). These patterns reflect the underlying diversity of species in each state–particularly the number of imperiled and/or limited range species–which is also influenced by a state’s size and diversity of habitats. These patterns are also influenced by the “regional stewardship responsibility” criterion in the assessment of priority species. Nearly 70% of regional priority species are endemic to the 15-state SEAFWA region. Overall, more than half (55%) of RSGCN are shared by three or more states, presenting opportunities for cross-state conservation collaboration. The remaining 45% of RSGCN have narrow ranges and are found in just one or two states. By taxa, fish and crayfish represent 47% of all RSGCN within the region. Many aquatic habitats and ecosystems within the Southeast are highly fragmented, resulting in severe limitations to ecosystem integrity and species persistence regionwide. Habitat fragmentation in rivers and streams is a determining factor in the decline in abundance of numerous species such as Eastern brook trout, freshwater mussels, and fully aquatic amphibians such as Eastern hellbender. Several regional datasets can help North Carolina identify lands and waters that support animal RSGCN and find opportunities to collaborate with other states. For example, habitat maps at the species level from the USGS Gap Analysis Project (GAP) are available for approximately 290 animal species, and 90 sub-species, on the RSGCN list. While GAP does not include species habitat maps for invertebrates or plants, it does include a high percentage of vertebrate RSGCN (93% of amphibians, 92% of birds, 76% of mammals, and 77% of reptiles). Figures 7 through 10 show RSGCN richness using GAP species habitat models. This data, in combination with other tools like the Southeast Blueprint, can help identify areas where conservation actions are likely to yield co-benefits for RSGCN as well as other species, habitats, and ecosystem services. As recommended by AFWA, cross-jurisdictional or regional strategies can enhance ecosystem resiliency, function, and connectivity–especially in the face of climate change. All data, including model inputs, are available from the USGS Gap Analysis Project Species Habitat Maps on their website: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/gap-analysis-project (models using more recent landcover available upon request).
Plant RSGCN
The Southeast is home to more than 11,000 native plant species, 30% of which are regional endemics (i.e., found only in the Southeast). In 2023 the Southeast Plant Conservation Alliance (PCA) released the first plant RSGCN list in the nation. The PCA worked with a broad coalition of partners including the Atlanta Botanical Garden, NatureServe, and Terwilliger Consulting, and received funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This list narrows down the vast number of plants native to the Southeast to 1,824 species that are a regional conservation priority based on criteria such as rarity, threats, and needed conservation actions. The plant RSGCN list complements the Southeastern animals RSGCN list
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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