Challenge A: Inventory and monitoring of BMP flora and fauna are insufficient to efficiently manage the preserve. No BMP-specific data exists for the area’s bats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and small mammals, nor have the natural communities been complety mapped.
Challenge B: Mesophication and lack of oak regeneration is apparent in BMP’s oak-dominated stands. Previous land uses that included selective high-grade timber management and fire suppression have resulted in proliferation of mixed mesophytic tree species, increased canopy cover, and dense shrub midstory, which will lead to lower herbaceous plant diversity.
Challenge C: Concerns regarding encroachment by housing development and the environmental impacts, as well as other challenges associated (illegal dumping, trespass, etc.).
Challenge D: Adjacent private lands along the BMP boundary cause management challenges including impediments to prescribed burning operations. The proximity of BMP to roads and urban areas creates smoke management challenges during prescribed burning operations.
Challenge E: BMP is part of a larger ecosystem over which TNC has limited control, but within which the activities of others have a great effect on the BMP.
Challenge F: Invasive exotic species occur on the area, which are detrimental to native plant and animal communities.
Challenge G: Deer density in northwestern North Carolina is among the highest in the state. High deer density places increased pressure on native plant communities and the impact on Gray’s Lilly is unclear.
Challenge H: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) future low and high emission model projections estimate that by the year 2100, the Earth’s average surface air temperatures will increase between 5.2 – 9.5 °F increase (Nakicenovic et al. 2000). Many of the species of concern in the SBR are associated with higher elevation sites and the relict boreal climates. Its unclear how these species will adapt to these changes in temperature.
Challenge I: The Bluff Valley Wetlands are managed for the protection of the rare species and their habitats. There are a number of management concerns facing the wetlands that are relatively easy to address, including unauthorized vehicle traffic, invasive exotic control, management of the power line, and potential herbicide application.
Challenge J: The wetlands’ hydrology has been heavily altered by past disturbance. One of the evident alterations is a long ditch extending laterally approximately 160’ across the bottom of the wetland on the Jones Tract, effectively draining and channelizing the wetlands to the south. Several braided channels converge within the wetland area and are captured by the ditch at the southern end of TNC Jones Tract. The wetland channels average 2-3’ wide, 2-3” deep, and have low, muddy banks. The small streams spread out where vegetation, such as cattail patches, impede their flow.
Bluff Mountain Preserve 