Chapter 4 Habitats
4.4.18.6.3 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 • Research to facilitate appropriate conservation actions includes habitat use/preferences, spawning location and timing, fecundity, population dynamics, population genetics, feeding, competition, and predation. 4.4.18.6.4 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 • Minimize the negative effects on beach ecology from beach renourishment projects by following a set of BMPs that include proper sediment choice, timing, spatial implementation, site-based design, ecological monitoring, and minimizing conflicts of interest (Hennessey et al. 2011) . • Break large renourishment projects into smaller project zones to minimize impacts of direct burial to turtle nests. Intersperse project zones with untouched beach to facilitate recolonization of invertebrate fauna (Speybroeck et al. 2006) . • Complete renourishment projects before the start of the warm season to improve chances of invertebrate recolonization. Project implementation should be avoided at times that coincide with critical life stages of sensitive species, such as beach-nesting turtles or Piping Plover nesting seasons (Speybroeck et al. 2006) .
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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