Chapter 4 Habitats
4.4.2.2 Location of Habitat According to Christman and Culver (2001) , caves are common in the United States. Details about cave locations in North Carolina are not provided in this document to protect them from vandalism and degradation that can occur when used by casual or recreational visitors. Old mines that may pose a geologic hazard (pre-North Carolina Mining Act) and have subsurface workings have been documented in a database previously maintained in the Mineral Resource Data System (MRDS) of USGS and the Mineral Availability System/Mineral Industry Locator System (MAS/MILS) in the US Bureau of Mines (USBM), which is now part of USGS. Figure 4.4.2-1 represents generalized location information of this dataset (McFaul et al. 2000) ; however, we have made no attempt to verify the type of subsurface feature or location represented by the data. While this data set was developed by USBM/USGS to portray the distribution of old mine workings in North Carolina and contains non-confidential data, it should be recognized that these sites are located on privately owned land in most cases.
Figure 4.4.2-1 Statewide location of subsurface mines (McFaul et al. 2000) .
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Mineral Resource Data System (MRDS) sites
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4.4.2.3 Problems Affecting Habitats Given the variability in cave types, mine types, and a host of different substrates, orientations, positions on the landscape, etc., the condition of caves and mines in North Carolina is quite variable. Human Intrusion. Caves and mines occur across all land ownership types. Several of the most significant sites have received attention in the past to protect resources (wildlife or geological in most cases). Bat-friendly gates have been installed in some locations to prohibit or regulate human entry and subsequent impacts upon cave resources. However, modifications at cave entrances and gate design and placement may impede air exchange, ultimately exerting
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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