CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^106the state. Many are situated on small openings in a matrix of hardwood and pine forestlands of the
Bienville National Forest. Cedar glades are less frequently encountered in this region. The prairies are
estimated to encompass 1,000 acres in aggregate.
Although considered to have been rare even prior to European settlement of the region, this subtype is
significantly reduced in total acreage. Many of the known prairie openings are located on the Bienville
National Forest and are being managed as wildlife areas maintained by periodic controlled burns. Larger
prairie sites near Forest and Lake, Mississippi, were converted to agriculture cropland many years ago.
The spring season burns have improved the vigor and productivity of the warm season grasses but also
may have reduced overall abundance of forbs, many of which are set back in their growth cycle by
spring burning.
This community is critically imperiled in the state because of extreme rarity and its vulnerability to
additional decline caused by shrub encroachment, seasonally inappropriate burning regime and invasion
by exotic vegetation.
SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED ASSOCIATED WITH
JACKSON PRAIRIE
GROUP SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME TIER
Birds Aimophila aestivalis Bachman's Sparrow 2
Ammodramus leconteii Le Conte's Sparrow 2
Ammodramus savannarum Grasshopper Sparrow 2
Asio flammeus Short-Eared Owl 2
Columbina passerina Common Ground-Dove 2
Caprimulgus carolinensis Chuck-Will's-Widow 3
Colinus virginianus Northern Bobwhite 3
Dendroica discolor Prairie Warbler 3
Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead Shrike 3
Scolopax minor American Woodcock 3
Tyto alba Common Barn-Owl 3
Crustaceans Procambarus barbiger Jackson Prairie Crayfish 1
Mammals Lasiurus cinereus Hoary Bat 2
Myotis lucifugus Little Brown Myotis 2
Spilogale putorius Eastern Spotted Skunk 2
Reptiles Ophisaurus attenuatus Slender Glass Lizard 2
Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster Prairie Kingsnake 2
Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata Mole Kingsnake 2
Masticophis flagellum Eastern Coachwhip 3