Chapter 4 Habitats
Following extensive logging during the last century, it is estimated that as much as 50% of all Appalachian Spruce−Fir forests were replaced through successional growth of hardwood species (White et al. 2012; Pyle 1984) . Several of the species face outright extinction and others, if lost, are unlikely to ever recover within the region. Transportation. The Blue Ridge Parkway was completed through western North Carolina during the latter part of the 20th century. The Parkway traverses most of the high-elevation islands of Spruce-Fir habitat. The Parkway and its associated development (the motor road, vistas, and visitor facilities) have contributed to fragmentation and had a significant impact on the amount of Spruce-Fir habitat available. Invasives. In the latter part of the 20th century, the Balsam Wooly Adelgid ( Adelges piceae ) began to have severe negative impacts on Fraser Firs throughout the region, resulting in the death of most of the mature fir of the high-elevation forests (White et al. 2012) . Recent negative impacts include insect outbreaks in several areas including Roan Mountain, the Black Mountains, and the Great Balsam Mountains. Milder winters presumably will lead to invasion by species from lower elevation. This will eventually lead to competitive exclusion of distinctive Spruce-Fir species from the lower parts of their elevational range (NCNHP 2024) . Pollution. Some research has shown that recent increases in acid precipitation in the Mountains of western North Carolina may have impacts on forest health and productivity, particularly in the high Mountains ( Schafale and Weakley 1990;; Hunter et al. 1999 ). While some Fraser firs remain in certain locations, the majority of late successional fir has been killed and often replaced by young fir, mixed northern hardwoods, and open, herbaceous habitats. Wildfire. Because the current distribution of Spruce-Fir forest is limited and many patches cover small areas, some are likely already close to minimum viable population size. Wildfire would likely be catastrophic because Spruce-Fir forests are not adapted to fire. Forests that burned would likely lose most species and never recover. Forests that burned during the industrial logging era have not recovered after more than 100 years, even in the past climate conditions (NCNHP 2024) . 4.4.3.4 Climate Change Compared to Other Threats Comparing climate change to other ecosystem threats can help define short-and long-term conservation actions and recommendations. Many species are currently excluded from these high-elevation communities because of the extreme climate, with winter cold the most likely cause. Mild winters presumably will lead to invasion by species from lower elevations. For example, in January 2023, NCWRC biologists captured a Southern Flying Squirrel ( Glaucomys volans ) for the first time in 20 years of monitoring a nest box line located at elevations above 5,000 feet in the Black Mountains. This will eventually lead to competitive exclusion of distinctive Spruce-Fir
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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