Chapter 4 Habitats
4.3.8.6.2 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 • Begin long-term monitoring, following survey data, for all populations of marsh birds, mammals, and reptiles that rely on this habitat type and that rely on tidal freshwater wetlands. 4.3.8.6.3 Research Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include how to expand or re- create freshwater herbaceous marsh through restoration of natural hydrologic and fire regimes, how to facilitate the migration and re-creation of this habitat type given rapid sea level rise, habitat use and preferences, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, and food web dynamics. Research must also be conducted to determine vulnerability of SGCN to specific threats, such as sea level rise. Studies should provide recommendations for mitigation and restoration.
Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats
• Identify priority areas where hydrology and fire could be restored to enhance or re-create this habitat type to benefit secretive marsh birds and other species.
• Given appropriate hydrologic conditions, evaluate the effects of prescribed fire on this habitat type and on expanding this habitat type by burning adjacent shrub and forest. Study the effects of prescribed fire on the creation of this habitat type in the ecotone between brackish marsh and what is currently adjacent forest.
4 - 179
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator