Chapter 3 North Carolina Species
knowledge about these amphibians are generally limited to published range maps or have been extrapolated from a few known population locations in the state.
• Results from North Carolina Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation’s (NCPARC) NC Calling Amphibian Survey Program (CASP) will be used to understand occupancy of available wetlands, as well as guide future surveys and inventory efforts for target species. Frog call monitoring conducted by NCWRC biologists, partners, and citizen science volunteers has provided distribution information on many species of anurans, including Oak Toad, Barking Treefrog, and Ornate Chorus Frog. Information about NCPARC and CASP is available online https://ncparc.org/casp. • NCPARC has developed Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Areas (PARCAs) to raise public awareness of critical amphibian habitat in North Carolina. These areas are nonregulatory designations meant to raise public awareness about population declines and to encourage complementary voluntary conservation action by landowners and conservation organizations. Information about the 20 different PARCAS designated in the state is available online https://ncparc.org/parcas-priority-amphibian-and-reptile- conservation-areas. Declines in amphibian populations are a significant concern; thus, well designed, statistically valid studies, surveys, and monitoring projects are needed to verify hypothesized declines in amphibian SGCN in North Carolina. 3.2.4 Knowledge Gaps Inventories of amphibian species have been conducted by NCWRC and other biologists statewide, and the data have been used to build datasets that improve understanding of population abundance and distribution in North Carolina. Knowledge gained from this work contributes to the design of research and conservation measures that support the persistence of all amphibian species. Examples of studies that can fill knowledge gaps include the following. • Studies that assess the effectiveness of specific actions and application of general adaptation management principles for amphibian SGCN should be targeted at high-risk areas as well as resilient locations where species are most likely to persist or migrate toward new sites following impacts from threats (Lawler et al. 2010; Blaustein et al. 2010; Weinbach et al. 2018; Shoo et al. 2011) . • Studies of amphibian use of artificial shelters or burrows can increase understanding of microhabitat requirements (Lettink and Cree 2007; Arida and Bull 2008, Shoo et al. 2011) . Logs, tree falls, and other woody debris can provide microhabitat and shelter that can protect amphibians from high temperatures and govern dehydration rates that can occur during the hottest and driest times of the year (Shoo et al . 2011) . Retention of downed wood
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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