Chapter 4 Habitats
Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Fishes – determine distribution and status of SGCN and other priority species. In addition, conduct exploratory surveys for priority species that have a high potential of occurring in the river basin, but are not currently known to occur in the river basin. Banded Sunfish Blackbanded Sunfish Bridle Shiner Ironcolor Shiner • Aquatic Snails – conduct baseline distribution survey for all species that occur in the basin. 4.5.14.5.2 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 plans should be coordinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible. 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.
Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats
• Identify long-term monitoring sites and develop monitoring protocols for SGCN and other priority species. Banded Sunfish Blackbanded Sunfish Ironcolor Shiner Lake Phelps Killifish 4.5.14.5.3 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 possibilities for improved management and conservation. All studies should provide recommendations for mitigation and restoration. Formal descriptions for known or putative undescribed species and investigations aimed at resolving taxonomic status are needed.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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