Chapter 4 Habitats
volatilization of ammonia and the release of bacterial contamination, can significantly degrade water quality and endanger human and animal health (Mallin 2003; Mallin and Cahoon 2003) .
Impoundments. According to the National Aquatic Barrier Inventory & Prioritization Tool (SARP 2024) , there are 43 man-made impoundments in the basin. Those present can physically alter instream habitat, change flow regimes, and often reduce DO levels. Water withdrawals for irrigation and similar uses further change flow patterns and reduce the quality and quantity of habitat available for aquatic species (NCDWQ 2002) . Invasive Species. Invasive species (e.g., Flathead Catfish and Red Swamp Crayfish) are established in the White Oak River Basin and continue to negatively impact native species populations (Fuller et al. 1999; Cooper 2005) via predation and competition. 4.5.19.5 Basin Specific Recommendations Conservation priorities that apply statewide to all river basins are presented in Section 4.5.3. Priorities identified in the Tar-Pamlico River Basin are shown in Figure 4.5.19-2 at the end of this section. 4.5.19.5.1 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 • Fish – Conduct surveys for SGCN and other priority species in the basin.
Banded Sunfish
Ironcolor Shiner
4.5.19.5.2 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
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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