Chapte r 5 . Threats
Required Element 3 : Description of problems that may adversely affect species identified in Required Element 1 or their habitats, and priority research and survey efforts needed to identify factors, which may assist in restoration and improved conservation of these species and habitats.
5.1 Introduction Natural communities are subject to numerous natural processes that can trigger, reinforce, or constrain the components of an ecosystem. Today, many of the stressors that cause impacts to wildlife and their habitats can be tied to anthropogenic activities. Burning fossil fuels, overharvesting, ecosystem degradation, habitat fragmentation, and wide-spread development are human legacies that impact biodiversity and ecosystem services, not only in North Carolina, but around the world (Balmford et al . 2011) . The impacts influencing ecosystem change that are most frequently mentioned when discussing threats to wildlife and their natural habitats include many that have long existed: land-use conversion, pollution, and invasive species. More recent threats are often associated with emerging issues, especially disease and pathogens; climate change; sea level rise (SLR); and extreme changes in regional precipitation and temperature patterns (MEA 2005) . The advent of new threats will drive the need for additional research and monitoring in order to make informed decisions about appropriate management and policy actions. 5.2 Threats, Stressors, and Emerging Concerns Threats and environmental changes will affect the fitness, survival, and reproductive success of wildlife and, ultimately, the survival of populations and ecosystems. Many of the impacts will come from habitat destruction, disruption of food chains, changes in disease and pathogen loads, invasive species, increased pollution, and the direct and indirect effects of climate change (Milligan et al. 2009). Following a best practice guide recommendation (AFWA 2012) , a list of the 11 threats most likely to impact fish and wildlife is considered in this chapter. The list is based on the definitions and hierarchical classification scheme published by Salafsky et al. (2008) and adopted by the IUCN Conservation Measures Partnership (IUCN 2012) , with two modifications.
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
5-1
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