Chapter 4 Habitats
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
• Determine population trends and persistence of small wetland breeding amphibian populations. Dwarf Salamander Eastern Tiger Salamander Four-toed Salamander Mole Salamander • Monitor amphibian populations to detect incidence of fungal and viral infections. Bsal Iridoviruses Chytridiomycosis 4.3.11.6.3 Research Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, feeding, competition, and food web dynamics. Research must also be conducted to determine vulnerability of SGCN and other priority species to specific threats and studies should provide recommendations for mitigation and restoration.
Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats
• Determine minimum upland buffers required to sustain at-risk amphibian populations.
• Explore management strategies to eradicate undesirable species, such as bullfrogs, from wetlands.
• Study the efficacy and practicality of “toad tunnels” and other wildlife crossings that allow passage under roadways and help maintain connectivity between wetland metapopulations.
• Investigate minimum hydroperiods needed by priority amphibian species that use ephemeral pools and wetlands. Results can be used to determine when supplemental measures or intervention is needed to support breeding periods and metamorphosis during drought periods.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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