Chapter 4 Habitats
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. Long-term monitoring of caves and mines is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health over time and gauging the resilience of organisms to a changing climate. Studies should include identification of population trends, as well as assessment of impacts from conservation or development activities.
Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats
• Continue long-term monitoring protocol to document bat use of significant cave/mine roosts, especially in those caves and mines that are affected by WNS. Bats • Develop protocols and procedures for long-term bat capture study and data storage throughout the state. Bats • Establish protocol for periodic monitoring and assessment of Allegheny Woodrat populations. Allegheny Woodrat • Develop and implement systematic, long-term population monitoring protocols for cave- dwelling salamanders. Salamanders 4.4.2.6.3 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. Increased understanding of life histories and status helps determine the vulnerability of priority species to further imperilment, in addition to identifying possibilities for improved management and conservation. All studies should provide recommendations for mitigation and restoration. Formal descriptions for known or putative undescribed species and investigations aimed at resolving taxonomic status are needed.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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