Chapter 5 Threats
breeding amphibian species and seasonal wetland reptiles, such as the Chicken Turtle, Pine Barrens Treefrog, and Mabee’s Salamander. Bachmann’s Sparrow, Northern Bobwhite Quail, Loggerhead Shrike, and Red-cockaded Woodpecker are also of major concern. Development in and adjacent to forested wetlands, mesic forests, and floodplains particularly impacts colonial nesting waterbirds, priority herpetofauna, and bats, among other priority wildlife. In the Piedmont ecoregion, species that are common in other parts of the state may decline due to development of priority habitats such as forests of 75 to 500 acres or more. Floodplain and riparian forest impacts, and impacts to seasonal wetlands are of particular concern for species such as the Four-toed Salamander, Mole Salamander, and Eastern Spadefoot Toad. Early successional habitat-associated species are impacted by leapfrog development encroaching on farmland, particularly species such as Grasshopper Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike, and Northern Bobwhite Quail. In the Mountains ecoregion, development that impacts unfragmented forest, rock outcrops, and seasonal wetland communities will impact species such as the Cerulean Warbler, Green Salamander, Timber Rattlesnake, and other priority amphibians and reptiles. Impacts from major and minor development to spruce-fir and northern hardwood forest are of particular concern for the Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel, small mammal species, and bats that use these habitat types. Development of early successional habitats and bogs will impact species such as the Bog Turtle, Golden-winged Warbler, and Bobolink. 5.3.2 SGCN Priority Species The Taxa Team evaluation considered the level of threat that residential and commercial development represents to SGCN priority species. Lists of the SGCN and other priority species this threat is expected to have a very high or high impact on are listed in Appendix 5, Table 5.3-1 Species at Risk of Impacts From Residential and Commercial Development.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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