Chapter 3 North Carolina’s Species
Additional noteworthy threats identified for plants in our state include trampling and disturbance caused by recreation activities. Related to this threat are over-collection and exploitation, which is an uncommon but a very impactful threat where it occurs. Another concern is climate change and related extreme weather events (e.g., drought, wind damage, flooding, excessive heat, and seasonal norm variations).
According to the NC Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan (NCDEQ 2020) some habitats considered most at risk, and therefore most in need of monitoring, include:
• Low-lying areas along the coast are vulnerable to sea-level rise impacts including coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and storm surge. These habitats include Freshwater Tidal Wetlands, Maritime Wetland Forests, Blackwater Floodplains, and Large River Systems. • High-elevation natural communities are vulnerable to climate change. Even though many of these sites are already in conservation ownership, changes in seasons, extreme heat, drought, and heat waves all affect plants and animals that were adapted to live in conditions unique to the high-elevation mountaintops. These changes are most likely to affect High Elevation Cliffs and Rock Outcrops. • Wetland habitats dependent upon frequent fire are vulnerable to any changes in land use or landscape context that result in fire suppression or changes in hydrology. These threats affect Wet Pine Savannas in the Sandhills and Coastal Plain. • Freshwater aquatic systems—already impacted by pollution, sedimentation, and obstructions due to dams and culverts—are also vulnerable to climate changes such as changes in water temperature and precipitation amounts as well as flows brought about by heat waves and extreme heat. These threats affect aquatic communities across the state. • Rare plant and animal species occurring in all the habitats listed above should be routinely surveyed to facilitate early detection of declines due to habitat changes. Management intervention, if feasible, should be considered where needed to avoid local extirpation. Importantly, the worst threats that plants are facing are not easily mitigated by rules or regulations. Instead, habitat conservation, habitat restoration, and population level management are the most important strategies for mitigating threats to plants.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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