Chapter 4 Habitats
4.4.12.6.4 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 preserving biodiversity, protecting native populations and their habitats, and improving degraded habitats. Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Create transportation facilities that use longer bridges at streams and wetlands to minimize impacts (and thereby reduce mitigation requirements) and provide crossing options for wildlife that often travel these riparian corridors and disperse to upland communities. • Work with adjacent states on mutual planning and conservation for regional species concerns, especially since some priority species are likely to expand their range due to climate change impacts.
• Control invasive species in the short run, while populations are relatively limited and small, to prevent greater damage by them in the future.
• Use infrequent prescribed fire and canopy gap management to improve forest structural heterogeneity (frequent fire will limit shrub and understory development necessary to breeding bird species).
• Manage and protect mixed hardwoods/pine to promote future large, unfragmented tracts. This is especially important for amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and bats.
• Target invasive and exotic species control at ecologically sensitive areas and new and potentially manageable outbreaks.
4.4.12.6.5 Conservation Programs and Partnerships Conservation programs, incentives, and partnerships should be used to the fullest extent in order to preserve high-quality resources and protect important natural communities. Protective measures that use existing regulatory frameworks to protect habitats and species should be incorporated where applicable. Land conservation or preservation can serve numerous purposes in the face of anticipated climate change, but above all, it promotes ecosystem resilience.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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