Caves and Mines
From NC Bird Conservation
The 2015 North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan defines 41 priority habitats for the state. More information about this habitat can be found in Section 4.4.1.
Contents
Habitat Priorities
Surveys
- Create a comprehensive, prioritized list of significant caves, including the factors which add significance (e.g., roost of endangered bats, rare geologic formations, other rare plants or animal use). (Surveys Priority)
- Survey for potential nesting birds in caves such as Turkey Vultures, Black Vultures, and Common Ravens. (Surveys Priority)
- Inventory salamander communities associated with cave habitat (particularly in the twilight zone of caves). (Surveys Priority)
- Conduct bat surveys in caves and mines that have not been previously evaluated. (Surveys Priority)
- Conduct surveys for Cave Salamanders (Eurycea lucifuga) in areas along the Tennessee/ North Carolina border. (Surveys Priority)
Monitoring
- Establish and implement long term monitoring protocol to document bat use of significant cave/mine roosts, especially in those caves and mines that are affected by WNS.
- Develop protocols and procedures for long-term bat banding study and data storage throughout the state.
- Establish protocol for periodic monitoring and assessment of Allegheny woodrat populations.
- Develop and implement systematic, long-term population monitoring protocols for cave-dwelling salamanders.
Research
- In some areas of its range, the Longtail Salamander is associated with caves or portions of caves. Investigate its habitat use in North Carolina in conjunction with more generalized research on this species' distribution, status, and habitat in the state.
- Conduct studies to document maternity sites used by bats from specific hibernacula (e.g., find maternity colonies utilizing radio telemetry of individual Virginia Big-eared Bats that hibernate in known caves/mines, or track any Indiana or Gray bats captured to their maternity sites or hibernacula).
Management Practices
- Where feasible and cost effective, install gates to limit access (similar to protective measures used at Cranberry Mine). Inspection and monitoring may be needed to detect vandalism and illegal entry.
- Identify ways to address the effects of WNS where it occurs in the state.
Conservation Programs and Partnerships
... more about "Caves and Mines"
4.4.1 +
NCWAP 2015 Conservation Programs And Partnerships Priority 75 +, NCWAP 2015 Conservation Programs And Partnerships Priority 76 +, NCWAP 2015 Management Practices Priority 73 +, NCWAP 2015 Management Practices Priority 74 +, NCWAP 2015 Monitoring Priority 69 +, NCWAP 2015 Monitoring Priority 70 +, NCWAP 2015 Monitoring Priority 71 +, NCWAP 2015 Monitoring Priority 72 +, NCWAP 2015 Research Priority 67 +, NCWAP 2015 Research Priority 68 +, NCWAP 2015 Surveys Priority 62 +, NCWAP 2015 Surveys Priority 63 +, NCWAP 2015 Surveys Priority 64 +, NCWAP 2015 Surveys Priority 65 + and NCWAP 2015 Surveys Priority 66 +