CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^1486.1 Wet Pine Savannas
Value to SGCN - 45
Rank - 20th of 29 Inland Terrestrial Complexes
(Terrestrial, Wetland, Subterranean and Anthropogenic)DESCRIPTION
Wet pine savannas are not associated with riverine
floodplains, but are found on broad coastal flats and sloping
plains that annually receive over 60 inches of rainfall and
remain saturated for long periods during the growing season. Seepage zones are commonly observed
along lower slopes. The coastal region receives ample growing season rainfall from frequent convective
thunderstorms, resulting in the surface horizon remaining saturated for extended periods because of the
slow permeability of subsoils.
The herbaceous ground cover of the wet savannas are exceptionally diverse in stands that are in good
condition. Ample sunlight and rainfall create ideal growing conditions, but a lack of soil nutrients
prevents any one species or suite of species from dominating. Of more than 200 understory plants, two-
thirds are graminoids and one-third consist of forbs and ferns. Prominent groups of herbs include
grasses, asters, sedges, pipeworts, pitcherplants and lilies. Common grasses include beaksedge,
toothache grass, switchgrass and three-awn. Forbs include rayless goldenrod, one flowered
honeycombhead, sunflowers, pitcherplants, meadowbeauties, sundews and orchids.
LOCATION, SIZE, CONDITION AND CONSERVATION STATUS
EGCP
Several large patches of the Wet pine savannas subtype have been protected and
others are being restored within the 19,000 acre, Sandhill Crane National
Wildlife Refuge. Only a few other wet pine savanna habitats remain outside the
refuge, such as the Lakeshore Savanna managed by The Nature Conservancy
and the Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Wet pine savannas cover
approximately 80,000 acres in Mississippi and occur on wetland flats where
soils become waterlogged from heavy winter/spring rainfall and frequent
thunderstorms during the summer. Adjoining lowlands support swamp vegetation and some uplands
support mesic longleaf pine forests. Development on surrounding private lands is rapidly enveloping the
public lands. Pine plantations are commonly encountered in the vicinity of the refuge.
It is estimated that less than five percent of the original acreage of wet pine savannas exist at this time.
The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge contains some of the largest remaining tracts
of this unique ecosystem. The disappearance of the other areas is due to urban development and their
conversion to pine plantations.
Range of Wet Pine Savannas