Chapter 4 Habitats
Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Aquatic Snails – inventory primary distribution; determine potential habitats and distribution surveys for SGCN and other priority and state-listed species.
4.5.6.5.2 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. Long-term monitoring sites need to be identified, and monitoring protocols developed for all priority species. Monitoring of aquatic taxa is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health and gauging the resilience of organisms to a changing climate. While long-term monitoring sites have been established and baseline data gathered in most areas of the basin for fishes and crayfishes, a comprehensive approach to long-term monitoring is still lacking for mussels. Project-specific monitoring for species restoration in the South Fork Catawba River system and other conservation actions are also needed. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible. Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Fish – monitor SGCN and other priority and state-listed species on a routine basis. Brook Trout Carolina Darter Robust Redhorse Santee Chub Seagreen Darter Stonecat Thicklip Chub Yellowfin Shiner • Mussels – monitor SGCN and other priority species in priority areas (Johns and Catawba rivers, and Upper, Mulberry, and Steel creeks, as well as mainstem Catawba reservoirs and tailraces. Johns River Catawba River South Fork Catawba River Upper Creek Mulberry Creek Steel Creek Catawba reservoirs and tailraces • Crayfishes – monitor priority species. Carolina Foothills Crayfish Grandfather Mountain Crayfish 4.5.6.5.3 Research Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, feeding,
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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