Chapter 4 Habitats
While the northern hardwood habitat can be defined in general terms, ecologically, it should be considered in association with Spruce-Fir forest for the purposes of maintaining ecological relationships and sustainability. Often components of Spruce-Fir habitats are present in sub- dominant numbers within northern hardwood communities and increase in dominance along the elevation gradient to a point where Spruce–Fir becomes the dominant community. 4.4.4.2 Location of Habitat Northern hardwood forests are found throughout western North Carolina on high-elevation sites with abundant rainfall and a cool climate. They occur on ridges, open slopes, and upper coves with most examples above 3,600 feet elevation, and they range up to 5,500 feet or higher, the highest elevations of any hardwood forests (NCNHP 2024) . The majority of northern hardwood forests are on public lands, and many are in protected status. Significant amounts of northern hardwood forest occur on federally owned lands including US Forest Service (Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests) and National Park Service (Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park), in the Great Smoky Mountains, Great Balsams, Plott Balsams, Black/Craggy Mountains, Unaka Mountain, Unicoi Mountains, and in the vicinities of Roan Mountain and Grandfather Mountain. While most of the available northern hardwood forest is associated with these high-elevation mountain ranges, significant amounts are present in other areas of suitable elevation throughout the region, such as in the Amphibolite Mountains in Ashe and Watauga counties. A small percentage does occur on state ‐ owned lands and other conservation ownerships (e.g., The Nature Conservancy, local land trusts, etc.). 4.4.4.3 Problems Affecting Habitats Development. Development on private lands, and logging on private and some public lands remain threats and are likely the most immediate and greatest threats to a significant number of good examples. Development pressure includes threats from a large increase in second homes and recreation facilities. The isolated nature of several populations of wildlife, such as the Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-capped Chickadee and Weller’s Salamander, is likely detrimental to the genetic flow and overall long-range health of the species. Climate Change. Expected climate changes include warmer average temperatures, longer growing season, probably more hot spells, more drought, and more intense storms (NCNHP 2024) . Climate change, particularly drought and wildfire, is the greatest threat to protected examples. Drought may lead to increased potential for wildfire. While northern hardwood forests are not very flammable under the current climate, they could become so in more severe droughts. However, the threat of climate change is less severe than in Spruce–Fir forests and the threat of logging and development are relatively greater.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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