Chapter 4 Habitats
Barrens are woodland or savanna communities that have soils that are deep but have physical or chemical properties that are extreme and limit tree cover (Schafale 2024) . Ultramafic outcrop barrens occur on dunite, peridotite, or serpentinite. These rocks are associated with unusual vegetation and endemic species throughout the world because of their unusual chemistry. North Carolina’s only well-developed ultramafic outcrop barren is tied to specialized soils and is an open savanna-like community with a scattered pitch pine canopy and grassy ground cover 4.4.6.2 Location of Habitat This natural community has locations in both the Piedmont and Mountain ecoregions. Piedmont examples are less rare, but a couple of the community types occur only in the Mountains. According to the most recent Southeast GAP analysis (SEGAP 2023) , glades and barrens comprise approximately 5 acres (about 2 hectares) of land cover in North Carolina. 4.4.6.3 Problems Affecting Habitats These communities have been substantially altered by fire suppression, and some of these changes may shift them toward more natural composition. Fire is believed to be a natural part of these communities. Low-intensity fires may benefit these communities, but climate change may bring higher potential for wildfires to be severe. Species adapted to mafic glade habitats are tolerant of drought and heat. Higher average temperatures, coupled with drought conditions, will likely increase occurrence of fire. Drought appears to be an important factor in keeping these communities from becoming dense forests. While these are among the driest sites in the Piedmont region, if droughts become much more extreme, they may be beyond the tolerance of some of the species. Drought may also allow this community type to expand into adjacent forests, though this expansion is likely to be limited by soil conditions. An increase in hurricanes or other severe storms may increase the wind damage in forests that creates canopy openings, which often favors herbaceous growth. Some of the changes associated with climate change may shift them more toward more natural composition and may even allow these communities to expand into adjacent forests. 4.4.6.4 Climate Change Compared to Other Threats Comparing climate change to other ecosystem threats can help define short- and long-term conservation actions and recommendations. Climate change is not expected to be a major threat for these communities. Development, logging, habitat fragmentation, and changes caused by fire suppression are the most severe threats. In some areas, excessive deer browse is also a major threat. Climate change appears less of a threat. Table 4.4.6-1 summarizes the comparison of climate change with other existing threats.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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