Chapter 4 Habitats
4.4.8.3 Problems Affecting Habitats The conditions present at individual rock outcrops are unique, owing to geology, geography, elevation, moisture, and landscape position. They may contain discrete communities, or they may be dispersed among a variety of other community types that are connected through local geology and landscape conditions. As such, the extent of habitat that each rock outcrop provides is dependent upon the entire set of conditions in and surrounding the surface rock. Those conditions influence its use by plants and animals that are dependent upon the surface rock and may include significant amounts of adjacent ecological community types. Land Use. Common threats across the range of high-elevation rock outcrops include recreation, development, and forest succession. The two major problems most associated with low- elevation rock outcrops include development and recreational impacts. However, low-elevation rock outcrops are subjected to short-term habitat alterations (e.g., forestry operations) more often than high-elevation rock outcrops due to land ownership patterns, proximity to markets, accessibility, and other factors. 4.4.8.4 Climate Change Compared to Other Threats Comparing climate change to other ecosystem threats can help define short- and long-term conservation actions and recommendations. While climate change is not the most severe threat, a combination of synergistic effects with other existing conditions could stress these systems to the point where several species are unable to persist. The effect of a changed climate is likely to vary widely among examples of these communities, depending on topographic sheltering, configuration of rocks and soil depth. These systems are tied to specialized small environments and will be unable to migrate as the climate changes. Many may change very little, while a few will shrink, will be disturbed by wind or flood, or will change substantially because of temperature changes or drought. Table 4.4.8-1 summarizes the comparison of climate change with other existing threats. Table 4.4.8-1 Climate change compared to other threats to high-elevation cliffs and rock outcrops. Threat Rank Order Comments
1 Changes in temperature and mild winters will likely create the most impacts. Given the high number of endemics and disjuncts, climate- related changes greatly threaten biodiversity. Reduced winter snow and lack of seasonal snowpacks will have negative effects on soil moisture. 2 Trampling from recreational users (hikers and rock climbers) is probably the most immediate anthropogenic threat.
Climate Change
Trampling
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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