Appendix 1-7 Glossary
Chapter 1 Introduction
Rhizome . Horrizontal, underground stem, often giving rise to new plants at the tip or at the nodes.
Riparian – pertaining to a river and the corridor adjoining it (i.e., the banks, floodplain); of, on, or relating to the banks of a natural course of water.
Riverine system – Creeks, streams, rivers; all deep water habitats contained within a channel. In coastal areas they may have salinities in excess of 0.5 ppt.
Roost ( ing site ). A place where birds or bats rest or sleep.
Rostrum . The forward extension of the nasal region of the face and upper jaw.
S
Sea Level Rise (SLR) -- Sea level rise is an increase in the level of the world’s oceans due to the effects of global warming. Burning fossil fuels is one of the causes of global warming because it releases carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gasses into the atmosphere. The oceans then absorb the majority of this heat. As water becomes warmer, it expands. This results in ocean levels rising worldwide. Land-based ice, such as glaciers and ice sheets, is greatly affected by global warming, as well. These reserves of ice are located in places like Greenland and Antarctica. Typically, they experience melt during the warmer months of the year and the ice is replenished in colder months. With the average year-round global temperatures rising, however, ice caps and glaciers are experiencing a disproportionate amount of melting at an accelerated rate. Secondary nursery area (SNA) - those areas in the estuarine system where later juvenile development takes place. Populations are composed of developing sub-adults of similar size which have migrated from an upstream primary nursery area to the secondary nursery area located in the middle portion of the estuarine system. Secondary nursery areas are defined in 15A NCAC 03I .0101 and designated in 15A NCAC 03R .0103, .0104, and .0105. Unless otherwise specified by the rule, permanent and special secondary nursery areas designated in 15A NCAC 03R .0104 and .0105 encompass all waters from the described line in the direction indicated in rule up to the primary nursery area lines, InlandCoastal boundary lines or the headwaters of the waterbody, whichever area is first encountered.
Solitary . An animal that spends the majority of its time alone.
Species . A category of organisms possessing a lineage independent of other lineages, capable of evolving independently and reproducing.
Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) - In North Carolina, SGCN have been defined as species that are currently rare or have been designated as at-risk of extinction; those for which we have knowledge deficiencies; and those that have not received adequate
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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