Chapter 4 Habitats
in the Mountain ecoregion (e.g., Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, and Catawba). According to the National Aquatic Barrier Inventory & Prioritization Tool (SARP 2024) , there are 267 dams and road- related barriers in the Broad River Basin. Lake Lure, Kings Mountain, and Lake Adger impoundments appear to have the greatest impact on aquatic resources. Impacts include thermal and hydrologic alteration to tailwaters, water quality and quantity issues associated with nonexistent or inadequate flow, direct effects of impoundment, fragmentation of upstream populations, and loss of genetic diversity caused by barriers between populations. Several existing impoundments are used for water supply, and new impoundments are proposed within the basin for the same reason. As human population increases in the region, water supply is an increasing burden on surface waters. Water withdrawals, impoundments, and interbasin water transfers can significantly alter habitats for native aquatic species. Invasives. Nonnative species in the Broad River Basin include the Rusty Crayfish, Asian Clam, Common Carp, Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Rainbow and Brown trout, and Warpaint Shiner. Some reservoirs have landlocked populations of introduced Blueback Herring and Alewife, anadromous species that normally migrate between fresh and coastal waters in areas where they are native. The Saffron Shiner is native to other river basins in the state but has been introduced and occurs as a nonnative species in the Broad River Basin. Nonnative vegetation can also negatively impact native aquatic communities. This includes both aquatic and riparian plant species and nonnative plant pathogens that can alter riparian vegetation and affect aquatic habitats (e.g., Hemlock Wooly Adelgid). Presently, specific impacts from nonnative species in the Broad River Basin are unclear, and more information is needed to inform appropriate management actions. 4.5.4.5 Basin Specific Recommendations Conservation priorities that apply statewide to all river basins are presented in Section 4.5.3.3. Priority watersheds identified in the Broad River Basin are shown in Figure 4.5.4-2 (at the end of this section). 4.5.4.5.1 Surveys Surveys are systematic and scientific methods of collecting information about the distribution, abundance, and ecology of wildlife or their habitats in a specific area at a specific time. A habitat survey is a method of gathering information about the ecology of a site. The results of a habitat survey provide basic ecological information that can be used for biodiversity conservation, planning and/or management, including targeting of more detailed botanical or zoological investigations (Smith et al. 2011) . Repeated surveys using the same methods can provide information about conditions and changes to species assemblages and habitat composition over time. Priorities for conducting distributional and status surveys need to focus on species
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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