Southern Appalachian Ecosystem Team -- FY 2002 Team Activity Guidance
Team Vision
In cooperation with partners, conserve the Southern Appalachian’s natural animal and plant diversity through perpetuation of a dynamic, healthy, ecosystem while supporting compatible and sustainable uses of the ecosystem’s resources.
Goal 1
Protect, restore, and enhance habitats and essential processes necessary to maintain healthy biological diversity in the Southern Appalachians.
Ecosystem Priority
Reverse the decline of communities/species groups “most
at risk” while emphasizing cooperation with partners.
Action 1.1 Design and implement monitoring studies that will provide needed information to design restoration and enhancement plans for high-priority species and habitats.
- A. Conduct surveys on at least 5 federally-listed species as funding permits
- B. Compile a tabulated and annotated list of crayfish occurring in the SAE
- C. Compile a tabulated and annotated list of narrowly endemic fish species occurring in the SAE
Action 1.2 Continue to work with other federal and state agencies to augment and transplant listed mussels to designated sites.
- A. Transplant listed mussels to at least two sites
- B. Identify at least four other sites for re-introduction or augmentation of listed mussels
Action 1.3 Develop partnerships and/or continue working with at least ten locally- based watershed organizations to conserve listed species and rare species within the SAE.
Action 1.4 Continue to support propagation of at least ten listed aquatic species in the SAE.
Action 1.5 Continue to work on development of the Clinch River NWR.
Action 1.6 Continue to work on development of the Mountain Bog NWR.
Action 1.7 Work with partners to restore, enhance or preserve at least ten miles of streams by removing impoundments, naturalizing channels, stabilizing stream banks, restoring habitat diversity, replacing inappropriate culverts, reducing height of weirs, restoring and protecting riparian buffers, and establishing conservation easements, covenants, and other protective mechanisms on streams and riparian zones.
Action 1.8 Continue to work with partners to control invasive species and promote use of native plants.
- A. Continue to work with SAMAB’s Native Plant and Invasive Pest Plant Initiative
- B. Develop partnerships with native plant producers and government agencies that operate in the SAE to increase and coordinate supply of native plants
- C. Develop and publish list of plants native to different SAE regions that provide alternatives to ornamental but invasive, exotic plants (Already have for WNC and E. Tenn.)
- D. Continue to work with partners, such as Exotic Pest Plant Councils and Partners in Flight, to meet common goals
Goal 2
Promote and support compatible and sustainable uses of the ecosystem’s resources./p>
Goal 3
Increase public knowledge and support for ecosystem resources and their management.
Ecosystem Priority
Develop resources and tools for partners and public that will
increase knowledge and stewardship of the SAE resources.
Action 3.1 Print and distribute a Southern Appalachian high elevation ecosystem student activity guide.
Action 3.2 Print and distribute educational materials on unique SAE resources such as bogs, fens, and grassy balds.
- A. Print and distribute the mountain bog poster
- B. Develop mussel costume for environmental education activities
Action 3.3 Plan educational workshops on trust species and their habitats, including topics such as caves and bats, and river ecosystems.
Goal 4
Increase coordination and cooperation among agencies and organizations to enhance effective and efficient management of natural resources.
Ecosystem Priority
Provide opportunities for cooperative ecosystem management and
training among the Service and partners by implementing at least
two of the following:
Action 4.1 Host training sessions for Service personnel and partners using experts on high priority species.
Action 4.2 Investigate development of a native plant landscape plan for Erwin NFH.
Action 4.3 Coordinate with The Nature Conservancy to assist restoration activities for bogs.
Action 4.4 Work with the National Park Service to provide assistance in exotic and nuisance plant control.
Action 4.5 Coordinate with NFH’s in the SAE to provide assistance in hatchery activities and maintenance.
Action 4.6 Assist in the construction of cave gates for priority hibernaculums.
Action 4.7 Partner with Conservation Fisheries, Inc. to assist in restocking of listed fish species.
Action 4.8 Coordinate with state mining agencies to provide assistance in restoration of native plant communities.
