Appendix 8-1
HABITATS North Carolina’s richly diverse natural communities provide important habitats for numerous species and are a keystone to functional ecosystems. The Wildlife Action Plan (WAP, Plan) categorizes terrestrial communities based on Natural Heritage Program’s descriptions and aquatic natural commu- nity descriptions are based on drainage area and tempera- ture regimes characterized by the Southeast Aquatic Research Partnership (SARP). While these “habitats” are distributed across various landscapes, the Plan uses four ecoregion categories (mountains, piedmont, sandhills, and coastal plain) to help frame discussions about conservation needs and actions.
Chapter 4 Habitats in the WAP provides habitat descriptions, a comparison of climate change impacts to other types of threats, and priority recommendations for conservation action for surveys, monitor- ing, research, management practices, and partnerships and program opportunities. Appendix H in the Plan provides an asso- ciation of Species of Greatest Conserva- tion Need (SGCN) with the ecoregions and habitats they need for success.
The Wildlife Resources Commission is working on a revision to the WAP and invites participation from the public to identify changes to habitat descriptions or recommendatiions for conservation actions needed to help sustain these natural communities.
Virtual workshops that will focus on revision topics are planned for this summer. If you would like to contrib- ute to the revision process, please send a reply email to Cindy Simpson, Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator.
Photography: Rosyside Dace, Jonathon Gruneke/NCWRC; Elk, Adobestock
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