Chapter 4 Habitats
Table 4.3.6-1 Climate change compared to other threats to inland floodplains
Rank Order
Threat
Comments
Logging/ Exploitation
1 This is the most destructive recent force and may get worse if drought allows more access to wetter areas. 1 Sewerlines and gaslines have already created much damage to inland floodplains. Transmission lines also fragment these floodplains. As human population increases, corridor impacts will continue to increase, as well. 2 Temperature and rainfall averages are expected to increase. More importantly, there will be changes in frequency and magnitude of extreme rainfall events, which will affect flood regimes. An increase in droughts is also expected. 2 Temperature increases create potential for invasion by exotic species that are already problematic farther south, such as Chinese Tallow Tree. Invasive exotic species already spreading in these systems, such as privet, Japanese honeysuckle, and Japanese grass will continue to spread regardless of the climate, but any increased disturbance by flooding or wind storms may accelerate it. 2 Alteration of hydrology due to dam creation and the draining of wetlands are two of the primary problems affecting this habitat type. Upstream dams are significant on some rivers but not others. Increased drought may lead to demand for more reservoirs upstream and to more water withdrawal and interbasin transfer in all large river systems. 3 Somewhat significant in the past but most feasible conversion is already done.
Utility Corridors
Climate Change
Invasive Species
Flood Regime Alteration
Conversion to agriculture/ silviculture
4.3.6.5 Impacts to Wildlife Appendix 3 provides a list of SGCN and other priority species for which there are knowledge gaps and management concerns. Table 3-17 in Appendix 3 provides a list of the terrestrial SGCN that depend on or are associated with this habitat type. The vegetative cover of some floodplains was historically maintained in Switch Cane and herbaceous plants through fire and other periodic disturbance. Small remnants of “canebrake” communities still exist throughout the Piedmont, but management strategies to maintain this feature are almost nonexistent. Migratory landbirds that use Switch Cane areas for breeding include Hooded Warblers, Kentucky Warblers, and Swainson’s Warblers.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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