Chapter 4 Habitats
Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats
• Determine the status and distribution of reservoir-associated birds and help identify threats to populations. Swallows Rails • Survey for shorebird migration activity on large reservoirs (e.g., Falls Lake, Kerr Lake) in spring, summer and fall. Osprey Herons
• Conduct frog call surveys and support the volunteer and citizen science programs that participate in these surveys.
• Conduct mussel surveys to determine distribution and status of priority species. Tidewater Mucket Triangle Floater
4.2.13.6.2 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
• Continue monitoring Bald Eagle breeding activity. Bald Eagle
• Conduct monitoring for waterbirds and rails to help determine population trends.
• Monitor Pond Turtles and Common Ribbonsnakes to track population trends. Aquatic turtles Common Ribbonsnake
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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