Chapter 7 Monitoring
Neuse and portions of the White Oak River basins, and water quality data indicate some level of eutrophication exists, nutrient levels may be limiting survival or expansion of SAV in these areas. • Monitor submerged grasses on a regular basis to assess the status of wasting disease and its association with human-induced stresses. • Evaluate whether current sampling locations and methods are sufficient in estuarine waters to monitor the suitability of water quality conditions for SAV survival and growth. • Verify recovery and determine if there is a spatial pattern of that recovery in areas where SAV restoration and enhancement projects have been implemented. If there is a pattern, special monitoring and protection should be afforded to those core areas from which SAV begins its recolonization. 7.4.2.3 Wetlands • Implement additional monitoring to better assess impacts where extensive areas of wetlands were drained. • Given a limited time to monitor restoration success, criteria should focus on identifying trajectories of functional development that include wetland soil development. • Conduct a study to quantify the cumulative impact of shoreline hardening on wetland vegetation and habitat-mediated predator–prey interactions in North Carolina estuarine waters. 7.4.2.4 Soft bottom • Gather more information to understand the consequences on the estuarine food web and to what extent anoxia is impacting the soft bottom community. • Implement adequate monitoring of the effects of beach nourishment on the soft bottom community and associated surf fish populations as the number of beach nourishment projects increase. This should be required for all large-scale or long-term nourishment projects. • Conduct long-term monitoring in combination with management actions that reduce discharge concentrations to determine effectiveness and future management needs 7.4.2.5 Hard bottom • Monitor hard-bottom communities to assess the level of impact from trawling activity, particularly shrimp trawls in the southern portion of the coast. • Initiate monitoring of hard-bottom communities and coordinate with UNC-Wilmington or other ocean water quality monitoring programs to determine the effects of estuarine water quality, particularly nutrient and sediment loading, on hard-bottom communities.
7-19
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator