Chapter 4 Habitats
Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Conduct baseline surveys to determine current distributions for the several SGCN associated with coldwater systems in western North Carolina that are known in only a few localities, and/or are considered rare or declining.
Eastern Hellbender Junaluska Salamander Longtail Salamander
Mudpuppy Loggerhead Musk Turtle
Eastern Spiny Softshell Water Shrew
• Gather better information about the status and distribution of more common species associated with coldwater stream habitats.
Shovel-nosed Salamander
Three-lined Salamander
4.2.3.6.2 Monitoring Monitoring involves repeated observation and recording of specific parameters to show trends over time. Long-term monitoring that includes statistical and quantitative analysis in the design is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health and gauging the resilience of organisms to changing conditions (Gitzen et al. 2012, Lindenmayer and Likens 2009) . Monitoring efforts should include identification of population trends, as well as assessment of impacts from conservation or development activities. These efforts will inform species and habitat management decisions. Long-term monitoring sites need to be identified, and monitoring protocols developed for all priority species. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible. Monitoring of aquatic taxa is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health and gauging the resilience of organisms to a changing climate. These monitoring efforts will inform future decisions on how to manage aquatic species. 4.2.3.6.3 Research Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, feeding, competition, and food web dynamics. Research must also be conducted to determine vulnerability of priority species to specific threats, and studies should provide recommendations for mitigation and restoration. 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.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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