Chapter 4 Habitats
Table 4.3.13-1 Climate change compared to other threats to wet pine savannas.
Rank Order
Threat
Comments to protected examples. Severe wildfires in droughts, burning in excessive fuel loads, may cause ecological damage. Because many examples are now fragmented and isolated, uncontrolled fire that burns whole patches is a significant threat to many insect populations. Prescribed burning is crucial for retaining these systems in both the present and the expected future climate. Smoke management becomes an issue, along with wildfires, that results from unsafe landowners burning debris. Firefighting methods can damage the habitats through use of heavy equipment and fire suppression chemicals. Wet pine savannas are likely to be resilient to climate change effects. With drought, fuel loads could increase and contribute to catastrophic fire events. Increased high wind-storm events cause wind throws that damage tree stands, especially Red-cockaded Woodpecker cavity trees.
Climate Change
4
4.3.13.5 Impacts to Wildlife Appendix 3 provides a list of SGCN and other priority species for which there are knowledge gaps and management concerns. Appendices 3-17 (wildlife) and 3-22 (plants) identify SGCN that depend on or are associated with wet pine savannas. These habitats are particularly important for reptiles and amphibians where ponds are embedded in savannas or flatwoods; such species include Carolina Gopher Frog, Ornate Chorus Frog, and Southern Chorus Frog. Several reptile species, such as Pigmy and Timber (Canebrake) rattlesnakes and Mimic Glass Lizard, are found in savannas and pine flatwoods away from pools and ponds. Many of the bird species of highest conservation concern inhabit these communities and depend on frequent fire to create suitable habitat conditions (e.g., the Red- cockaded Woodpecker, Bachman’s Sparrow, Henslow’s Sparrow, Brown-headed Nuthatch, American Kestrel, Prairie Warbler) (Hunter et al. 2001b; Johns 2004) . Game species such as the White- tailed Deer, Northern Bobwhite Quail, Eastern Wild Turkey, Eastern Cottontail Rabbit, Gray Squirrel, and Eastern Fox Squirrel also use this habitat for forage and cover. Red-cockaded Woodpeckers use these habitats, because they typically have a sparse overstory and open midstory that is preferred by the woodpeckers. Increased windstorm damage could affect canopy structure and topple some nesting cavity trees. Because of the slow reproductive rate and long life span of Longleaf Pine, increased wind mortality would reduce average age
4 - 216
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator