Chapter 4 Habitats
taxa, and unnatural flow regimes below managed dams (Williams et al. 1993; Etnier 1997; Neves et al. 1997; Warren et al. 2000; NCWRC 2005) .
Invasive Species. Invasive species (e.g., Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish, Red Swamp Crayfish) are established in the Cape Fear River Basin and continue to negatively impact native species populations (Fuller et al. 1999; Cooper 2005) via predation and competition. The Striped Shiner is native to other river basins in the state but has been introduced and occurs as a nonnative species in the Cape Fear River Basin. 4.5.5.5 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 Cape Fear River Basin are shown in Figure 4.5.5-2 (at the end of this section). 4.5.5.5.1 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 believed to be declining or mainly dependent on at-risk or sensitive communities. Surveys need to focus on aquatic snails, crayfish, mussels, and fish believed to be declining or dependent on at-risk or sensitive communities.
Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Conduct distribution and status surveys for SGCN and other priority species.
Atlantic Pigtoe Triangle Floater
Greensboro Burrowing Crayfish Broadtail Madtom Carolina Redhorse
Ironcolor Shiner Flat Bullhead Snail Bullhead
4.5.5.5.2 Monitoring Monitoring involves repeated observation and recording of specific parameters to show trends over time. Long-term monitoring that includes statistical and quantitative analysis in the design is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health and gauging the resilience of organisms to changing conditions (Gitzen et al. 2012, Lindenmayer and Likens 2009) . Monitoring efforts should include identification of population trends, as well as assessment of impacts from conservation or development activities. These efforts will inform species and habitat management decisions.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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