CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^1263.3 Loess Hardwood Forests
Value to SGCN - 65
Rank - 10th of 29 Inland Terrestrial Complexes
(Terrestrial, Wetland, Subterranean and Anthropogenic)DESCRIPTION
The loess hills region is a range of steep, highly dissected
hills and bluffs situated along the eastern flanks of the
Mississippi River alluvial plain. Deep silty soils were
formed from wind carried (aeolian) sediments along a narrow band extending from Louisiana northward
into Tennessee. The band of silt reaches hundreds of feet in depth near the alluvial plain and gradually
diminishes towards the east, finally becoming inconsequential about 50 miles away from the river. At
the eastern edge of the region, the loess soils are present on lowlands but missing from hill tops where it
has been removed by erosion. Memphis and Natchez soil series are the most prevalent soils of the loess
or brown loam region. They are characterized as deep, moderately permeable, well-drained silty soils.
Slopes are often steep and can range up to 45 percent and occasionally form sheer cliffs. They have
moderate fertility and moisture holding capacity. Important trees of the area include many types of
hardwoods, especially cherrybark oak, but also water oak, swamp chestnut oak, tulip poplartree, Florida
maple, eastern hophornbean, ironwood, sassafras, pignut hickory and two-wing silverbell. Beech and
magnolia are less important. Sweetgum, sugarberry, boxelder and red maple are probably more
common now than before settlement. They have replaced some of the more traditional climax trees that
were once abundant in the diverse virgin forests such as American basswood and black walnut. Due to
the abundance of walnut, Vicksburg’s early settlement was named Walnut Hills. Important common
small trees, shrubs and vines include pawpaw, red buckeye, flowering dogwood, northern spicebush,
oakleaf hydrangea and grape vines.
LOCATION, SIZE, CONDITION AND CONSERVATION STATUS
UEGCP, EGCP
Loess hardwood forests are found on large tracts of up to 10,000 acres in the
loess bluff region of the state. Total acreage of this subtype is approximately
300,000 acres. Encroachment of homesteads into otherwise undeveloped areas,
agriculture and clearcutting, conversion of hardwood forests to pinelands and
invasion by the forest-topping invasive kudzu have contributed to the
destruction and fragmentation of this forest type. Adjoining ridgetops support
dry/mesic hardwood forests (1.3) and larger streams support lower slope/high
terrace hardwood forests (3.4).
Historically, the region experienced widespread agriculture development, even in steep areas.
Range of Loess Hardwood
Forests