Reference Document 5-3
Appendix 5
Appalachians are experiencing rapid climate change in addition to other disturbances such as urban expansion, mining, and non-native species introductions, which threatens the rich biodiversity that currently resides there (Giam et al. 2018) . Future outlooks for biodiversity in the region show a concerning predicted effect of climate change on amphibian and mammal range declines compared to relatively stable future potential distributions for most birds and reptiles (Zhu et al. 2022) . Additionally, future potential climatic suitability of the Appalachians was found to be high for reptile species not currently found in the mountains, further outlining the importance of the mountains as a future climate refuge for reptiles historically from down- slope areas (i.e., lower elevations) (Lawleret al. 2013; Zhu et al. 2022) . Of North Carolina’s mountain habitats, Spruce-Fir Forests are the most threatened, listed as the 2 nd most endangered ecosystem in the United States (Noss et al. 1995) . Many of the species found in this ecosystem are rare here at the southern extent of their ranges and have either evolved here (i.e., are endemic), isolated from their northern cousins, or remain in small areas where elevation provides similar conditions to more northern latitudes (NCWRC 2005) . Priority species for the state associated with Spruce-Fir Forests here include the Southern Pygmy Salamander ( Desmognathus wrighti ), Northern Slimy Salamander ( Plethodon glutinosus sensustricto ), Weller’s Salamander ( Plethodon welleri ), Southern Rock Vole ( Microtus chrotorrhinus carolinensis ), and Rock Shrew ( Sorex dispar ) (NCWRC 2005) . These forests are also home to federally listed endemic species such as the Spruce-Fir Moss Spider ( Microhexura montivaga ) and the Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel ( Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus ), both of which are only found at high-elevations in the Southern Appalachia Mountains. Concerningly, however, Spruce-Fir Forests are thought and expected to be highly vulnerable to climate change impacts (Rogers et al. 2016) . Large shifts in environmental conditions and community structure of the region’s cool, high-elevation watersheds may further threaten the viability of native and endemic species within the region (Ficke et al., 2007; Zhu et al., 2021) . Concerningly, however, vulnerability assessments conducted for Appalachian forests have consistently found southern Spruce-Fir forests to be highly vulnerable to climate change (Rogers et al. 2016) . In the Appalachians in general, northern and high-elevation tree species tended to fare considerably worse than southern and low-elevation to mid-elevation species (Rogers et al. 2016) . For tree species historically occurring at lower elevation that show high-levels of adaptive capacity, there is the potential for continued upslope migration (Rogers et al. 2016) . However, species already residing at the highest elevations, such as Fraser fir ( Abies fraseri ) and red spruce ( Picea rubens ), will likely have nowhere nearby upslope to migrate to and are highly vulnerable to extirpation (Rogers et al. 2016) . Populations of red spruce that have tolerated climate variability (warmer temperature and drought) in the past may provide important insight into where the best opportunities for restoration exist (Medlock 2014) .
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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