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Transcript
Wildlife Conservation Land Priority Habitat Management Guidelines Stream and Riparian Zones Habitat Description Stream and riparian zone habitat is defined as the land area adjacent to and including a perennial or intermittent water body. The riparian zone generally extends from the water’s edge at base flow (stream water from groundwater, not runoff) to the place where the stream does not interact with or influence the type and density of vegetation present; generally where the upland ecological community begins. It encompasses the stream banks and floodplain with their plant communities as well as plant material (natural debris such as grass, leaves, twigs, branches, trees) likely to enter the stream. Stable riparian zones contain stream banks that are not eroding and have diverse plant communities that are generally undisturbed. Protected species associated with riverine systems within stream and riparian zones include manatee, river frog, Eastern spiny softshell, Neuse river waterdog, water shrew, hellbender, mudpuppy, stripeneck musk turtle, and American alligator. Stream and riparian zone habitat, as designated by the Wildlife Conservation Land Program (WCLP) refers to riverine aquatic communities, floodplain forests, and aquatic river basins in all three of the eco-regions in North Carolina. These are described in the North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan (NCWAP). Stream and riparian zone habitat is critically important to a wide range of terrestrial, semi-aquatic, and aquatic wildlife. Unfortunately, land use in and around these areas has contributed to a drastic decline in the quality and quantity of the remaining wildlife habitat. Threats to the Resource In addition to direct habitat loss from land use conversion and development, water quality deterioration and habitat degradation are serious problems that affect wildlife in stream and riparian zones. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 1722 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1722 Phone: (919) 707-0050 ncwildlife.org Clean water is critical to a host of species that live in rivers and streams for all or a portion of their lives but can be negatively impacted by runoff. Direct input of contaminants occurs when runoff from poorly managed crop and animal agriculture operations, from commercial and residential development, and from other point and non-point sources is allowed to enter the waterway. The resulting water pollution can kill aquatic species and contaminate the food chain for other wildlife. Increased sediment loads from land disturbing activities can irreparably damage the integrity of aquatic systems. In addition, Direct input fragmentation of contaminants andoccurs loss ofwhen upland runoff habitat frominpoorly riparian managed zones pose cropsignificant and animalchallenges agricultureto operations, priority species fromsuch commercial as neotropical and residential migratorydevelopment, birds that nest and in from floodplain other forests. point and non-point sources equ is allowed to enter the waterway. The resulting water pollution can kill aquatic species and contaminate the Strategies food chain for other wildlife. Increased sediment loads from(WCLP) land disturbing activities Management – Wildlife Conservation Lands Program can irreparably damage the integrity of aquatic systems. Well vegetated buffers can help mitigate or prevent impacts from pollution and sedimentation into North Carolina’s waterways. In addition, fragmentation and loss of upland habitat in riparian zones pose significant challenges to priority species such as neotropical migratory birds that nest in floodplain forests. Perennial or intermittent blue-line streams (waterways that are designated on a USGS topographic map, streams that are shown to be present using LIDAR data or a professional field delineation can be Management Strategies – Wildlife Conservation Lands Program (WCLP) enrolled under the Stream and Riparian Zone category of the WCLP. Well vegetated buffers can help mitigate prevent impacts from pollution andsalamanders. sedimentationSmall into Ephemeral streams, springs, seeps can beor very important breeding habitats for North Carolina’s waterways. streams, springs, and seeps will need to be considered on a case-by-case basis Under the or WCLP, the riparian areastreams will be (waterways delineated by measuring horizontally from topographic the top of the Perennial intermittent blue-line that are designated on a USGS stream bank. The minimum width for qualifying aquatic habitat shall be 30 feet on each side ofcan the be map, streams that are shown to be present using LIDAR data or a professional field delineation stream an average of 60and feetRiparian total; theZone minimum width for qualifying enrolledorunder the Stream category of the WCLP. terrestrial habitat shall be 15 feet on each side of the stream; and the maximum width will be 300 feet or the width of the floodplain, whichever is greater. may justify a narrower minimum width Ephemeral streams, springs, seepsSite canspecific be very conditions important breeding habitats for salamanders. Small dependent on property lines,will road restrictions, and other fixtures. streams, springs, and seeps need to be considered onpermanent a case-by-case basisIt is important to note that there is no single riparian width statewide that will maintain and enhance a fully functional aquatic andWCLP, terrestrial The minimum widths above have been noted for minimal Under the the habitat. riparian area will be delineated by measuring horizontally from thewater top ofquality the benefits to wildlife. All landowners will be encouraged maximize benefits through fully stream bank. The minimum width for qualifying aquatictohabitat shallwildlife be 30 feet on each side ofa the functional stream andofriparian means a width for larger than 30 terrestrial feet. stream or an average 60 feetzone total;which the minimum qualifying habitat shall be 15 feet on each side of the stream; and the maximum width will be 300 feet or the width of the The riparianwhichever zone shallisnot extendSite beyond the watershed as adelineate the ridgeswidth floodplain, greater. specific conditions boundary may justify narrowerbyminimum surrounding the watershed. The stream area included in this habitat type shall be the area astomeasured dependent on property lines, road restrictions, and other permanent fixtures. It is important note between the top of the banks along the channel. A diversity of stream bank vegetation should be that no one width can fit all aquatic and terrestrial habitat needs statewide. However, for statewide retained to prevent sloughing erosion. Stable application within the Wildlifeand Conservation Landsriparian Programzones and tocontain recognistream banks that are not eroding and have vegetation that has not been disturbed within the last 3 years. The riparian zone shall not extend beyond the watershed boundary as delineate by the ridges The riparian zone must be protected from damage from livestock with permanent fencing. Cost-share surrounding the watershed. The stream area included in this habitat type shall be the area as measured from various agencies may be available. between the top of the banks along the channel. A diversity of stream bank vegetation should be retained riparian to prevent sloughing and erosion. Ideally, zones will contain a diverse plant community composed of native trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, sedges, and other herbaceous plants, as well as woody debris such as rootwads and logs of The riparian be protected from damage from livestock with permanent Cost-share downed trees.zone Thismust structural diversity is especially important to neotropical birds fencing. and to amphibians from various agen cies may be available. using these areas. Ideally,infestations riparian zones will contain a diverse plant communityreduce composed of nativeoftrees, shrubs, vines, Heavy of invasive exotic plants can dramatically the diversity riparian native grasses, sedges, andControl other herbaceous well within as woody such as may rootwads and logs of if plant communities. of invasiveplants, exoticasplants the debris riparian zone be recommended downed trees. This structuralcovers diversity especially important to neotropical birds to amphibians the extent of the infestation overis50% of the area. Approved herbicides andand surfactants will be using areas. of lowthese toxicity to aquatic wildlife. Restoration may beof warranted the site is badly degraded. An assessment can beof completed by a Heavy infestations invasive ifexotic plants can dramatically reduce the diversity riparian native resource professional and recommendations to restore hydrology native plant ded if plant communities. Control of invasive exoticdeveloped plants within the riparian zoneand/or may be recommen communities as deemed necessary. the extent of the infestation covers over 50% of the area. Approved herbicides and surfactants will be of low toxicity to aquatic wildlife. This and other priority habitat types are listed as habitats of concern in the North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan (NCWAP) and more detailed information concerning each habitat type may be found at Restoration may be warranted if the site is badly degraded. An assessment can be completed by a www.ncwildlife.org/fs_index_07_conservation.htm. resource professional and recommendations developed to restore hydrology and/or native plant communities as deemed necessary. This and other priority habitat types are listed as habitats of concern in the North Carolina Wildlife A i Pl (NCWAP) d d il d i f i i h h bi b f d North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission