Chapter 4 Habitats
Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Fish – identify important spawning areas, potential seasonal tributary use, and early juvenile habitats. Sicklefin Redhorse Spotfin Chub • Crayfish – complete distribution surveys for burrowing crayfish in areas where data are lacking. Red Burrowing Crayfish 4.5.10.5.2 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. Monitoring of aquatic taxa is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health and gauging the resilience of organisms to a changing climate. These monitoring efforts will inform future decisions on how to manage aquatic species. Several long-term monitoring strategies are in place for priority areas and species, including Spotfin Chub and Appalachian Elktoe. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible.
Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Continue routine monitoring of SGCN and other priority and state-listed fish species.
• Continue routine monitoring of priority and state-listed crayfish species.
• Continue routine monitoring of priority and state-listed mussel species.
• Continue monitoring aquatic community response to remediation of hydropower impacts and species restoration in Cheoah River.
4.5.10.5.3 Research Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, feeding, competition, and food web dynamics. Increased understanding of life histories and status helps determine the vulnerability of priority species to further imperilment, in addition to identifying
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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