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25 <br /> Carolina Friends School Biological Inventory Report Orange County, N.C. <br /> Due to periodic flooding disturbance, sunlight availability to the forest floor is slightly <br /> more prevalent in this community type, in comparison to the closed canopy hardwood <br /> communities. As a result, diversity is slightly higher. Faunal species indicative of this <br /> community type are the same as those previously listed for the Mesic Mixed Hardwood <br /> community(i.e., forest interior species). <br /> Pine Forest <br /> This community type is located in uplands throughout the study area. Plant species <br /> indicative of this community are the same as previously listed for the Piedmont headwater <br /> stream forest; however, loblolly pine is dominant and comprises 80-90% of the overstory <br /> composition. <br /> Like the previously described closed-canopy communities, sunlight availability to the <br /> forest floor is also limited in this pine-dominated forest community. As a result, overall <br /> diversity is low, when compared to communities exhibiting greater amounts of sunlight <br /> availability and structural heterogeneity. Faunal species indicative of this community type <br /> are the same as those previously listed for the mesic mixed hardwood and Piedmont <br /> headwater stream forest communities (i.e., forest interior species). <br /> 4.0 PROTECTED SPECIES <br /> 4.1 Endangered Species Act Protected Species <br /> Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service <br /> (USFWS) lists the following federally listed species, which may potentially be impacted <br /> within the PSA (Table 2). For each species, a discussion of the presence or absence of <br /> habitat is included below along with the Biological Conclusion rendered based on survey <br /> results in the PSA. <br /> Table 2. ESA federally listed species which may be impacted within the PSAI <br /> Scientific Name Common Name Federal Habitat Biological <br /> Status2 Present Conclusion <br /> Fusconaia masoni Atlantic Pigtoe T Yes Unresolved <br /> 1 USFWS Information for Planning and Consultation(IPaC)data checked on October 2,2024 <br /> 2 T—Threatened <br /> Atlantic Pigtoe <br /> USFWS Optimal Survey Window: March 1 —November 1 (Optimal) <br /> Biological Conclusion: Unresolved <br /> Suitable habitat for Atlantic Pigtoe is present within the study area in Pine Mountain <br /> Creek,both below and up from the pond. This creek is perennial and possesses the <br /> necessary habitat elements needed to mussel populations. Aquatic snails and pea <br /> clams were noted within Pine Mountain Creek during the site visit. Evidence of <br /> 5 December 2024 <br />