Chapter 4 Habitats
from the reservoir through a penstock to a powerhouse near the Tennessee state line. Restoration of minimum flows to the bypassed reach is tied to improvements in upstream water quality (per FERC, Article 414). The Pigeon River and short reaches of the East Fork and West Fork of the Pigeon, upstream from Canton, have remained a relatively high-quality, cool- and warmwater habitat that has provided refuge for most of the priority species that are still extant in the subbasin. Increasing development could potentially degrade this important habitat. Other tributaries, such as Jonathans Creek, Richland Creek, Fines Creek, and Crabtree Creek are variously degraded by nonpoint source pollution that comes primarily from poorly managed agriculture and increasing development. Invasive Species. Problems associated with nonnative and invasive species are unclear at present. The White River Crayfish, White Catfish, Flat Bullhead and Snail Bullhead (all native to the Atlantic Slope) are established in the basin. The Red Swamp Crawfish, a native of the lower Mississippi and Gulf Coast drainages, has become established recently in the upper French Broad River subbasin and could threaten the endemic French Broad Crayfish. The Asian Clam is well established throughout the entire basin, but threats to native mollusks are not fully understood. The invasive Japanese Knotweed is widespread and expanding in riparian areas throughout the basin. Hydrilla was also recently discovered at multiple locations in the French Broad River. 4.5.8.5 Basin Specific Recommendations Conservation priorities that apply statewide to all river basins are presented in Section 4.5.3.3. Priority 12-digit HUCs identified in the French Broad River Basin are shown in Figure 4.5.8-2 at the end of this section. 4.5.8.5.1 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. Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Snails – inventory primary distribution and determine potential habitats and distribution surveys.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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