CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^144in the past. While there are no accurate figures of the extent of sandbars, it is apparent that they have
value to SGCN and should be considered when development projects are proposed.
SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED ASSOCIATED WITH SANDBARS
GROUP SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME TIER
Birds Sterna antillarum athalassos Interior Least Tern 2
Limosa fedoa Marbled Godwit 2
Charadrius melodus Piping Plover 2
Calidris canutus Red Knot 2
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos American White Pelican 3
Calidris alpina Dunlin 3
Calidris mauri Western Sandpiper 3
Migrant Shorebirds
Reptiles Graptemys nigrinoda Black-Knobbed Map Turtle 2
Graptemys pulchra Alabama Map Turtle 2
Graptemys gibbonsi Pascagoula Map Turtle 2
Graptemys oculifera Ringed Map Turtle 2
Graptemys flavimaculata Yellow-Blotched Map Turtle 2
THREATS TO SANDBAR COMMUNITIES
Channel Modification high
Operation of Dams/Impoundments high
Recreation Activities high
Incompatible Resource Extraction Practices high
Invasive Species high
Over Exploitation/Incidental Capture high
PRIORITY CONSERVATION ACTIONS
A Plan and conduct additional research (i.e. habitat needs, status surveys, breeding status, disease,
etc.) on SGCN.
A Discourage/limit human access in highly critical areas and special habitats, when possible.
A Develop/implement/continue recovery plans for individual SGCN.
A Encourage restoration and improved management of altered/degraded habitat when possible.
A Encourage and improve agricultural/forestry/watershed land-use planning and BMPs to address
nonpoint pollution, erosion and water quality issues.
A Monitor/address SGCN harvest/over harvest issues (including bycatch or incidental take).
A Maintain/improve/restore hydrologic (depth, hydroperiod, flow) and geomorphic (channel
sinuosity, floodplain, microtopography) integrity.