Chapter 4 Habitats
4.2.11.4 Climate Change Compared to Other Threats Comparing climate change to other ecosystem threats can help define short- and long-term conservation actions and recommendations. While climate change is not the most severe threat to stream swamp communities, a combination of synergistic effects with development and lack of riparian corridors could stress these systems to the point where several species are unable to persist. Many of the threats that affect other stream communities discussed in this chapter will also impact stream swamp systems, and the comments provided should be considered valid for this aquatic community. Table 4.2.11-1 provides a review of expected climate change impacts in order of importance in comparison with other types of threats.
Table 4.2.11-1 Climate change compared to other threats to stream swamp systems. Threat Rank Order Comments
1 Direct, secondary, and cumulative effects from development include increased sediment, bank erosion, and stormwater runoff containing sediment and other potentially toxic materials.
Development
During droughts, water levels will decline as temperature increases and rainfall events decrease. Any increase to pumping or water withdrawals can cause depletion and low DO due to low flow conditions.
Groundwater Depletion
2
2 While bank vegetation is usually undisturbed, logging is a major threat to streams in the Coastal Plain. Loss of forest cover can cause increased erosion and sedimentation and negatively impact aquatic systems. 2 Irrigation, water supply, and energy development withdrawals pose a threat to flow regime. 2 Sea level rise, as a result of climate change, is a major threat to Coastal Plain aquatic systems.
Logging/Exploitation
Water Withdrawals
Climate Change
Point and nonpoint sources—runoff and EDCs—are threats. Erosion and the resultant sedimentation are the largest sources of nonpoint source pollution in most aquatic systems. Runoff from urban areas often contains higher concentrations of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, sediment, metals, hydrocarbons, and microbes.
Pollution
3
3 Loss of riparian vegetation contributes to stream bank erosion and sedimentation. Riparian vegetation serves as a food/nutrient input to the stream community and helps regulate stream temperature by providing shade. 4 Livestock access to streams contributes heavily to bank destabilization and erosion, sedimentation, and nutrient input. Concentrated animal feeding operations result in periodic fish kills
Lack of riparian vegetation
Livestock
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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