Chapter 4 Habitats
will shrink, be disturbed by wind or flood, or change substantially because of temperature changes or drought. A small net loss of acreage may occur, but more seeps may be temporarily affected by drought. Table 4.3.12-1 summarizes the comparison of climate change with other existing threats.
Table 4.3.12-1 Climate change compared to other threats to upland seepages and spray cliffs.
Rank Order
Threat
Comments
1 Droughts may cause seeps supplied by shallow ground water to dry up. If drought increases wildfire, it might be of benefit to some examples, but fires are generally easy to control in the uplands around seeps.
Groundwater Depletion
Spray cliffs may be subject to scouring if intensity of floods increases. Some low elevation seeps are on the edge of floodplains, and increased intensity of rainfall events might increase flooding of them.
Flood Regime Alteration
1
1 Development may not have direct impact but may increase access (and therefore trampling) or lead to utility easements (e.g., sewer lines) that cross seepage habitats. 1 Climate change may pose a significant threat, but no more than these other problems. 1 These communities are susceptible to invasive species, which may be exacerbated by climate change.
Development
Climate Change
Invasive Species
4.3.12.5 Impacts to Wildlife Appendix 3 provides a list of the SGCN and other priority species for which there are knowledge gap and management concerns. Appendix 3-17 identifies SGCN associated with this habitat type. Seepage communities have very limited distribution and availability across the landscape and are one of the most significant habitat types of the state for rare plants and animals (TNC and SAFC 2000) . Several animal species that are state listed or rare are associated with seepage habitats, including the Bog Turtle, Mole Salamander, Four-toed Salamander, Long-tailed Salamander, Seepage Salamander, and Alder Flycatcher. The priority amphibian associated with mountain bogs are all salamander species, though there certainly are a much larger number of amphibians found in mountain bogs. These salamanders (e.g., Mole, Four-toed, Marbled, Three-lined, and Spotted Salamanders) for the most part require pools of water (preferably fishless) for breeding purposes. The community association is
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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