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et al. (2007), have the potential to make up 24% of the state's biomass resources. The NC WAP iden- tifies Northern hardwoods, and associated birch/ beech /maple communities, as an important habitat type for numerous wildlife species. Over 30 bird, mammal, and amphibian priority species are associ- ated with northern hardwoods, including the threat- ened Northern saw -whet owl (Aegolius acaclicus), the endangered Northern flying squirrel (Glauco- mys sabrinus), and Weller's salamander (Plethodon welleri), a species of special concern. In addition, Appalachian cove hardwood forests, and associated subtypes, represent some of the most diverse ecosys- tems in the world (Hunter et al. 1999). As identified in the NC WAP, this habitat type supports 33 SGCN including the brown creeper (Certhis Americana) (special concern), the endangered green salaman- der (Aneicles aeneus), the Eastern hog -nosed snake (Heteroclon platirhinos), and the long - tailed weasel (Mustela frenata). In the southern Blue Ridge and Piedmont ecoregions, oak and oak -pine forest dominate (NC WAP) and support a wide variety of important SGCN including golden - winged warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera), Eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), four -toed salamander (Hemiclactylium scuta- tum), and Northern pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleu- cus). Hardwood habitats are also severely threatened by development and non - native pathogens such as the woolly adelgic, gypsy moth, and beech scale. Careful planning and management in hardwood forests will need to evaluate potential impacts on SGCN to ensure biofuel production does not exac- erbate these threats. Softwoods have the potential to make up 21% of North Carolinas biomass resources (Rich et al. 2007). There are over 1 million acres of industri- al timber pine plantations in the Coast Plain (NC WAP). Harvest strategies have generally provided high quality habitat for a number of SGCN species, including worm - eating warbler (Helmitheros vermi- vorous) and Eastern wood - peewee (Contopus vierns), but do not usually support high quality longleaf pine because of fire suppression. Endangered red - cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horriclus) (Special Concern) and Seminole bat (Lasiurus seminolus), have all been iden- tified as priority species that may be associated with Figure 4 -17. Map of forest resources for North Carolina (Source: North Carolina Di vision of Forest Resources 2009).