alb2018@aol.com
Bio:
Originally from Union County, N. C., Alvin Braswell received a BS in Wildlife Biology with a Botany minor and a MS in Zoology from N. C. State University. He served in the US Army and reached the rank of E-5. Currently, he is retired from the N. C. State Museum of Natural Sciences, where he spent over 40 years in various curatorial roles with reptiles, amphibians, and freshwater fishes before being the Research Lab Director, and later, assuming a Deputy Museum Director for Operations position. In the Deputy Director role, he was instrumental with the planning, construction and operations of the Nature Research Center wing of the Museum. Now, in an Emeritus Research Curator position with the Museum, he has returned to his primary field biologist love. Publications include co-authorship on Reptiles of North Carolina and Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia, and the booklet Venomous Snakes of North Carolina. He served for over 20 years on the Plant Conservation Program’s Scientific Committee and chaired that committee for 5 years. Also, he served on the Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee for the N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission for over 25 years and chaired the Scientific Councils for Amphibians and Reptiles, and Freshwater Fishes for periods during that time. As an Adjunct Instructor with N. C. State University, he co-taught ZO 542 (Herpetology) from 1996 – 2013 with Dr. Harold Heatwole. In retirement, he is involved with the Friends of Plant Conservation, Carolina Wetlands Association, Tar River Land Conservancy, N. C. Herpetological Society, Wake County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space, Triangle Land Conservancy, N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Alligator Task Force, and various research projects with the N. C. State Museum of Natural Sciences. As an avid nature photographer, he shares photos with various conservation organizations for both educational and promotional purposes. Honors include Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher from NCSU, Governor’s Wildlife Conservationist of the Year, Order of the Longleaf Pine, Governor’s Award for Excellence, and the Thomas L. Quay Award for Wildlife Conservation from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
Abstract:
Amphibians and Reptiles and the Wood Pellet industry
Hardwood forest and Longleaf Pine systems and, in many cases, old growth forests are very important to a significant percentage of the herpetological species that occur in North Carolina. Of the 90+ species of amphibians, 49 are listed in the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s (NCWRC) Wildlife Action Plan (NCWAP) as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). About 48% of these have dependence on mature forest systems, and 14 are already Federally and/or State listed species. Of the 70+ species of reptiles in North Carolina, 41 are listed in the NCWAP as SGCN. About 56% of these have dependence on mature forest systems, and 7 are already Federally and/or State listed species. Dispersal capabilities vary widely and the amphibians and reptiles with limited abilities to travel thru inhospitable habitats are much more susceptible to the “island effects” of habitat fragmentations and size reductions. With increasing loss of mature forest systems, greater fragmentation of habitats, increased mortality and extinction events, the likelihood of more species being placed on State and Federal endangered species’ lists is certain. Maintaining adequate natural communities to avoid greater endangerment of the state’s fauna and flora not only protects the natural diversity of the state, but also helps insure public health, economic security, recreational opportunities, and overall quality of life. Regulating threats to insure sustainability of the state’s resources should be a priority and requires consideration of a broad spectrum of natural communities. Forested wetland communities are a particular concern for many reasons.