Chapter 3 North Carolina’s Species
3.13.8.1 Surveys Surveys are systematic and scientific methods of collecting information about the distribution, abundance, and ecology of wildlife or their habitats in a specific area at a specific time. Repeated surveys using the same methods can provide census information about a species over time. Distributional and status surveys need to focus on plant 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 • Conduct statewide assessment (status, distribution, and description) of significantly rare natural communities. Efforts should include creating GIS mapping, assessment of threat scope and severity, and documenting element occurrences of plant SGCN.
• Conduct surveys for nonvascular bryophyte species. Little is known about their distribution, habitat requirements, and abundance statewide.
Mosses
Liverworts
Hornworts
• Assess the conservation status of graminoid species, especially those associated with rare or special natural communities (e.g., bogs, wetlands, early successional).
• Conduct surveys for historically rare species to update NCNHP element occurrence data.
Special Concern-Historic
Significantly Rare-Historic
• Assess the conservation status of isolated wetlands, including upland pools and depressions, nonalluvial mineral wetlands, and upland seepages.
• Assess the conservation status of freshwater wetlands subject to tidal influences. These systems will be at risk of saltwater intrusion from sea level rise and stormwater surge.
• Identify rare plant populations at risk or threatened by invasive or exotic species and develop a response to eliminate or moderate threats.
• Routinely survey rare plant communities to facilitate early detection of declines due to habitat changes.
3 - 189
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator