Reference Document 6-1
Southeast Conservation Blueprint Summary for North Carolina
threatened from the effects of climate change and human development, such as increased flood and drought periods and urban sprawl. Continued conservation efforts to restore hydrology, reduce pollution into wetlands, and prevent habitat destruction will be needed to preserve this delicate ecosystem. Great Smoky Mountains As its name suggests, the Great Smoky Mountains PARCA includes the North Carolina portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This area is known for its exceptionally high salamander diversity due to the presence of rich coves along with pristine riverine habitat. Species of note in the area include Junaluska salamander, Tellico salamander, Cheoah Bald salamander, imitator salamander, and southern zigzag salamander. One major concern in this PARCA is acid rain; Great Smoky Mountains receives more sulfur and nitrogen deposits of any monitored national park. The park's high-elevation forests and mountain streams are becoming so acidic, it is affecting the overall health of these ecosystems and species. Transitioning away from fossil fuels, advocating for better air quality and pollution standards, and working with industries to find new technological solutions to prevent these issues will ensure a future for the incredible biodiversity in this PARCA. Hickory Nut Gorge The Hickory Nut Gorge is a 20,000-acre, 14-mile-long canyon in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. For several species, this gorge is genetically disjunct from populations in the Blue Ridge Escarpment, leading to the speciation of microendemics like the Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander, crevice salamander, and the Blue Ridge grey-cheeked salamander, as well as a huge biodiversity of regional species. Most of these populations have very low population densities with only a few individuals, and genetic analyses indicate low genetic diversity in these populations, suggesting a high level of inbreeding. The top threat to the species is habitat loss and fragmentation from tourism, real estate development, and the construction of transportation and energy infrastructure in the Hickory Nut Gorge. Efforts are currently in place to ensure greater buffer zones are created surrounding their current and potential habitats in rock outcrops, as well as work to increase connectivity between known populations. Each square mile in this PARCA is of great significance to these species who call the Hickory Nut Gorge their home, and there is still much work needed to ensure they are not only able to survive, but thrive here. Hiwassee The Hiwassee PARCA is located in the southwest corner of North Carolina and includes unique vegetation communities, blending mountain physiography with sandy soils from more pine-associated ecoregions and supporting a rich diversity of Piedmont and Coastal Plain ecotone species. Some of these unique species include the mountain chorus frog, stripe-neck musk turtle, common map turtle, northern pine snake, eastern slender glass lizard, Chattahoochee salamander, and eastern hellbender. Nantahala National Forest covers a significant portion of this PARCA, along with the Hiwassee River and its many dams and reservoirs. This area is impacted by habitat degradation, sedimentation, erosion, and water quality issues from surrounding agricultural land and rural roads. Researchers should work with producers to establish best management practices to reduce negative effects of land use changes on aquatic systems.
Created 11/20/2024 using the Southeast Conservation Blueprint Explorer
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