CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^143A Control exotic and invasive species (plant and animal).
A Provide public education about conservation of SGCN and/or their habitats.
A Discourage incompatible recreational uses.
A Promote and develop landowner incentive and assistance programs for conservation of SGCN
and their habitats.
A Encourage appreciation of SGCN and their habitats by providing public access and compatible
recreational activities.
5.2 Sandbars
Value to SGCN - 37
Rank - 23rd of 29 Inland Terrestrial Complexes
(Terrestrial, Wetland, Subterranean and Anthropogenic)DESCRIPTION
Sandbars are formed along rivers and creeks by high spring
stream flows that churn and distribute coarse sediments
along bends and points of the stream channel. They serve
as important habitats for several birds and reptiles. During spring and summer, the interior least tern
utilizes open sandbars of the Mississippi River as nesting habitat. Sandbars are open, non-vegetated and
warm during the summer. The exposed sands are loose and less prone to crusting or hardening. This is
the preferred habitat for many species of turtles for depositing and incubating their eggs. High soil
temperature is critically important for normal egg development to occur.
LOCATION, SIZE CONDITION AND CONSERVATION STATUS
EGCP, UEGCP, MSRAP
Sandbars occur along most free flowing streams of Mississippi and in most
watersheds where flow rates are sufficient to rework coarse sediments. Several
thousand acres of sandbards are expected to exist in the state, but, because of
their small and variable size, which changes with water levels, it is difficult to
get an accurate figure.
Inundation consequent to impoundment has destroyed many sandbar reaches,
but headcutting triggered by sand and gravel mining and dredging has increased the acreage of sandbars
in other drainages. Cogongrass, tallow trees and other exotic weeds have invaded sandbar habitat; this is
a particularly severe problem in the southern part of the state.
Sandbars are often created as a result of streambed destabilization and are larger and more common than
Range of Sandbars