Chapter 4 Habitats
Many wildlife species that use Grass and Heath balds are threatened by impacts other than habitat loss. Timber Rattlesnakes are threatened not only by habitat loss but also by being subject to collection, disturbance of hibernacula/gestation sites, and persecution. There has been considerable effort undertaken in the northeastern United States to determine the impact upon Allegheny Woodrat populations from a roundworm parasite ( McGowan 1993; Stone et al. 1993 ), though no studies have been conducted within North Carolina to assess the level of threat posed to woodrat populations. 4.4.7.6 Recommendations These communities occur at the highest elevations, so they are naturally rare in North Carolina. All these communities are tied to specialized sites and are unable to migrate. Examples need to be protected and managed appropriately. 4.4.7.6.1 Surveys Surveys are systematic and scientific methods of collecting information about the distribution, abundance, and ecology of wildlife or their habitats in a specific area at a specific time. A habitat survey is a method of gathering information about the ecology of a site. The results of a habitat survey provide basic ecological information that can be used for biodiversity conservation, planning and/or management, including targeting of more detailed botanical or zoological investigations (Smith et al. 2011) . Repeated surveys using the same methods can provide information about conditions and changes to species assemblages and habitat composition over time. Priorities for conducting distributional and status surveys need to focus on species believed to be declining or mainly dependent on at-risk or sensitive communities. Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Obtain baseline data on high-elevation bird species of Grassy and Heath Balds. Alder Flycatcher Golden Eagle Vesper Sparrow • Obtain baseline data on mammal and reptile communities and habitat use (e.g., identify Timber Rattlesnake den sites). Mammals Reptiles 4.4.7.6.2 Monitoring Monitoring involves repeated observation and recording of specific parameters to show trends over time. Long-term monitoring that includes statistical and quantitative analysis in the design is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health and gauging the resilience of organisms to 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
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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