Chapter 4 Habitats
growth can result in brown or red tides and harmful blooms, such as Pfiesteria piscicida , that have been associated with fish kills (USEPA 2012b) . The presence of drainage ditches will facilitate saltwater intrusion into more inland freshwater natural communities and rapid decomposition of peat soils by sulfate-reducing bacteria (Hackney and Yelverton 1990) . Runoff . Coastal development is coupled with increases in impervious surfaces and infrastructure that contributes more stormwater that drains into estuarine systems (NCCF 2024) . Stormwater carries pollutants such as sediment, nutrients from nitrogen and phosphorus, metals, pesticides, and hydrocarbons that contribute to eutrophication of salt marshes (NCCF 2024) . Climate Change . Climate change impacts, primarily sea level rise, will lead to shifts in plant composition and more open water habitats. An increase in the number of storm events and storm severity will result in more flooding and erosion of vegetation. Other problems will include subsidence and increased inundation of freshwater communities and release of previously sequestered carbon as carbon dioxide and methane (Hackney and Yelverton 1990) . Coastal marshes in North Carolina are not gaining in elevation at a pace sufficient to keep up with sea level rise (Bost et al. 2024, SECOORA 2024) . Further, eutrophication of salt marshes can increase above- ground biomass and decrease bank-stabilizing below-ground biomass, resulting in salt marsh collapse and conversion to unvegetated open water (NCCF 2024) . Saltwater intrusion has created “ghost” forests, acres of dead trees that were associated with freshwaters that have been infiltrated by higher salinity waters. Examples can be found on the Albemarle-Pamlico peninsula and the USFWS Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (NCCF 2024) . 4.3.3.4 Climate Change Compared to Other Threats Climate change, particularly rising sea level and the potential erosion of barrier islands, is the greatest threat to estuarine wetland communities. Table 4.3.3-1 summarizes the comparison of climate change with other existing threats. Table 4.3.3-1. Comparison of climate change with other threats to estuarine wetland communities. Threat Rank Order Comments
1 Estuarine communities are extremely vulnerable to the effects of rising sea levels and the potential erosion and inundation of barrier islands. Loss of barrier islands would expose the mainland side of estuarine areas to open ocean, leading to changes in salinity, tides, and wave action that would likely cause major changes to the mainland coastline. 2 Development near coastal communities has resulted in pollution and water quality declines that impact SAVs. Buildings along shoreline introduce night lighting and light pollution. Development on uplands
Climate Change
Development
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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