Chapter 4 Habitats
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 priority species. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible. Monitoring of aquatic taxa is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health and gauging the resilience of organisms to a changing climate. These monitoring efforts will inform future decisions on how to manage aquatic species. Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Enhance current monitoring systems and protocols (e.g., MAPS and BBS) to better cover certain species that are not well covered by current monitoring efforts. • Establish long-term monitoring for small mammals and bats following initial surveys. Bats Small mammals • Conduct general, long-term herpetofauna monitoring to track the effects of the loss of old growth characteristics in this habitat type. Amphibians Reptiles 4.4.10.6.3 Research Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, feeding, competition, and food web dynamics. Increased understanding of life histories and status helps determine the vulnerability of priority species to further imperilment, in addition to identifying possibilities for improved management and conservation. All studies should provide recommendations for mitigation and restoration. Formal descriptions for known or putative undescribed species and investigations aimed at resolving taxonomic status are needed. Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Collect demographic information on all bat species; investigate specific habitat needs and conduct life history studies. Bats 4.4.10.6.4 Management Practices Management practices that reduce impacts and work synergistically with other conservation actions are needed to enhance the resilience of natural resources. Particular needs include
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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