Chapter 4 Habitats
believed to be declining or mainly dependent on at-risk or sensitive communities. Distributional and status surveys are needed for aquatic snails, crayfish, mussels, and fish (in order of general need). Identify the location of headwater systems and associated small wetland communities in the Piedmont ecoregion. Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Initiate distribution surveys for all amphibian species associated with headwater communities. Dwarf Salamander Four-toed Salamander Mole Salamander Eastern Tiger Salamander • Gather information about the status and distribution of more common species associated with Piedmont headwater and associated wetland habitats. Common Ribbonsnake Three-lined Salamander 4.2.7.6.2 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.
Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats
• Determine population trends and persistence of small wetland breeding amphibian populations. Dwarf Salamander Four-toed Salamander Mole Salamander Eastern Tiger Salamander
4.2.7.6.3 Research Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, feeding,
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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