Chapter 4 Habitats
4.2.2.3 Research Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behaviors, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, feeding, competition, 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 possibilities for improved management and conservation. Aquatic species propagation is an area of current and ongoing research. Developing techniques for propagation of aquatic species is critical for preserving those species and their genetic stock, particularly those that are rare, at high risk of extinction or extirpation, and difficult to propagate in a laboratory setting. All research studies should provide recommendations for mitigation and restoration. Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Expand hatchery facilities and efforts of the Conservation Aquatics Center at the NCWRC’s Marion Hatchery to support research aquatic species propagation.
• Conduct genetic research to resolve taxonomic issues for aquatic species.
• Statewide, assess stream habitats and the effect of perched and undersized pipes and culverts that are a barrier to fish passage.
• Conduct studies to improve our understanding of habitat trends and key habitat associations for priority species.
• Investigate relationships between macrobenthic and aquatic priority species assemblages.
• Gain information regarding the specific microhabitat needs of priority species to develop long-term conservation strategies.
• Conduct research to determine the best way to use a habitat guild approach in
developing habitat suitability criteria in a stream system. This research will have benefits for studies melding hydrodynamic models to habitat needs for fish assemblages and the best approach to including rare species into habitat guilds (Persinger et al. 2011) .
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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