Chapter 3 North Carolina Species
3.5.8.1 Surveys General distribution of most priority species is known; however, surveys are needed to complete distributional status for some priority and invasive species. Distributional and status surveys need to focus on species believed to be declining or mainly dependent on at-risk or sensitive natural communities. Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Distribution and status update surveys are needed for all freshwater fish SGCN and other priority species to maintain prioritization lists and to inform potential state/federal listing status. Focal species include:
Ironcolor Shiner
Madtom species
3.5.8.2 Monitoring Long-term monitoring is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health over time and gauging the resilience of organisms to a changing climate. Studies should include identification of population trends, as well as assessment of impacts from conservation or development activities. These efforts will inform species and habitat management decisions. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible.
Priority Conservation Action, Focal Species, or Focal Habitats
• Long-term monitoring sites need to be identified and monitoring protocols developed for all priority species. Dam removal sites Restoration sites Spawning habitats for declining species Sensitive watersheds • Implement monitoring programs for restoration and augmentation sites where propagated species are released. Examples include release sites for: Roanoke Logperch 3.5.8.3 Research Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, feeding, competition, contaminant dynamics and toxicology, impacts of climate change and invasive species, and food web dynamics. Increased understanding of life histories and status helps determine the vulnerability of priority species to further imperilment, in addition to identifying
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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