Chapter 4 Habitats
Freshwater mussels rarely overlap habitat with trout; however, with changes to the temperature regimes in these systems, trout may be extirpated, and freshwater mussels could expand or shift habitats. As water temperatures increase, freshwater mussels inhabiting coolwater systems could move into coldwater systems as their host fish move upstream. These habitats are also important for a variety of mammals that are semi-aquatic and/or that have an aquatic food base (e.g., Water Shrews, Muskrats, Beavers, River Otters, and certain bats). Selected bird species rely upon aquatic habitats including rivers and streams to provide habitat or a food base. These include various waterfowl, wading birds, and certain songbirds like the Louisiana Waterthrush. 4.2.3.6 Recommendations In addition to the following recommendations for coldwater systems, Section 4.2.2 has recommendations appropriate for all aquatic communities, statewide. Section 4.5 has recommendations specific to the river basins that contain coldwater streams. Because coldwater systems occur primarily at higher elevations within Mountain ecoregion watersheds (usually as headwater streams) it is important to preserve their connectivity throughout the watershed. As water temperatures change and become warmer at lower elevations, many species that require colder temperature streams may not be able to migrate if there are barriers to movement. Barriers can include natural structures such as Beaver dams and man-made structures such as pipes, culverts, and dams. 4.2.3.6.1 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. A habitat survey is a method of gathering information about the ecology of a site. The results of a habitat survey provide basic ecological information that can be used for biodiversity conservation, planning and/or management, including targeting of more detailed botanical or zoological investigations (Smith et al. 2011) . Repeated surveys using the same methods can provide information about conditions and changes to species assemblages and habitat composition over time. Priorities for conducting distributional and status surveys need to focus on species believed to be declining or mainly dependent on at-risk or sensitive communities.
Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Investigate population status of native Brook Trout.
Eastern Brook Trout
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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