Chapter 4 Habitats
4.4.14.4 Climate Change Compared to Other Threats Comparing climate change to other ecosystem threats can help define short- and long-term conservation actions and recommendations. The greatest threats to this system do not come from climate change. With their adaptation to dry conditions, fire, wind, and their range well to the south, these may be the most resilient systems to warming climate. Currently, the greatest threat comes from development pressure. Historically, conversion and exploitation destroyed most of this once extensive system, and these forces continue to consume the remnants. Table 4.4.14-1 summarizes the comparison of climate change with other existing threats. Table 4.4.14-1 Climate change compared to other threats to dry longleaf pine communities. Threat Rank Order Comments
Longleaf Pine stands are very desirable areas for housing developments and golf courses. Development within this habitat can lead to fragmentation that disrupts connectivity between patches for most wildlife except birds. Road crossings can lead to mortalities, especially for reptiles and amphibians. These systems occur on some of the highest lands in the outer Coastal Plain, where development may become even more concentrated as sea level rises. Intensive pine straw raking impacts understory habitat by removing understory grasses and forbs, preventing their growth, and sometimes creating an almost bare sandy forest floor. Slow reproductive rates may limit regrowth once longleaf pines have been removed.
Development
1
Logging/ Exploitation
2
2 The threat of agricultural conversion has reduced in recent years (having greatly reduced habitat historically), but pine plantation conversion continues. Genetic improvements to planting stock have resulted in getting longleaf to gain height growth quickly, with most trees coming out of the grass stage within three years. However, these trees clearly have a less developed root system and are more susceptible to wind throw.
Conversion to agriculture/ silviculture
Prescribed burning is crucial for retaining these systems in both the present and the expected climate. Inadequate fire is an ongoing threat at many sites. For small, isolated habitat remnants, wildfires can cause permanent extirpation of insect and other animal populations. This is a problem for most unprotected examples and is the greatest threat to protected examples. Much of the plant diversity in these habitats is found in the transition zones between the longleaf communities and other adjacent wetter sites. Traditional use of plowed fire lines in these transition zones has resulted in the eventual deterioration of these transition zones.
Fire
2
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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