Chapter 4 Habitats
Table 4.4.19-1 Climate change compared to other threats to successional communities.
Rank Order
Threat
Comments roadside rights-of-way are subject to pollutant-laden runoff from the road surfaces as well as application of salt and other chemicals used to prevent icing in the winter; ruderal areas located near industrial areas are subject to both air and waterborne pollutants emanating from the industrial plants. All these pollutants can play a major role determining species viability within the semi-natural habitats used by this group. Two species that are likely to spread into new areas, particularly at higher elevations due to increased temperatures, are Kudzu and Fire Ants. Both exotic species have strong impacts on early successional and other ruderal habitats. Along with changes in agricultural practices, loss of some habitat patches or connections between them may be attributable to the smothering invasion of Kudzu.
Invasive Species
2
3 Impacts from land use changes are likely to accelerate at least indirectly due to climate change, with more demand for biofuels or other forms of energy production utilizing “waste grounds.” Like other native ecosystems, early successional habitats are also likely to be affected by increased temperatures, prolonged droughts, more frequent fires and storms, and especially invasion of exotic species.
Climate Change
4.4.19.5 Impacts to Wildlife Appendix 3 provides a list of SGCN and other priority species for which there are knowledge gaps or management concerns. Appendices 3-17 (wildlife) and 3-22 (plants) identify SGCN that depend on or are associated with this habitat type. Upland Communities. The quantity of early successional habitat is generally not lacking, but the quality is often questionable for most species of wildlife. Species found in successional communities occur widely throughout the state, although there are also some regional variations (e.g., Henslow’s Sparrows are restricted to the Coastal Plain and Vesper Sparrows breed only in the Mountains). Changes in plant species composition may also have strong impacts on the composition of insect species, since many have narrow host plant preferences. The vertebrate fauna may show far fewer effects, however, since most, if not all, do not depend on a particular composition of plant species.
Two species associated with early successional habitats, Bewick’s Wren and Regal Fritillary, are believed extirpated from North Carolina. Several other species are declining, with Eastern
4 - 360
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator