CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^1567.1 Hardwood Seeps
Value to SGCN - 83
Rank - 4th of 29 Inland Terrestrial Complexes
(Terrestrial, Wetland, Subterranean and Anthropogenic)
DESCRIPTION
Soils of hardwood seeps are often saturated throughout the year. The habitat supports wetland grasses,
sedges, herbs and an abundance of ferns. Ferns frequently encountered are netted chainfern, royal fern,
cinnamon fern and common lady fern. Other herbs include giant cane, crossvine, bristly stalked sedge,
climbing hydrangea and roundleaf goldenrod. Wetland shrubs found clustered around seeps include
Virginia sweetspire, poison sumac and possumhaw. Common trees are sweetbay, blackgum, red maple
and tuliptree.
LOCATION, SIZE, CONDITION AND CONSERVATION STATUS
EGCP, UEGCP
Hardwood seeps are scattered throughout the state where water bearing
substrates produce outflows. They occur as small wetland patches (1 to 10
acres in size) in draws and along lower hill-slopes. They are surrounded by
upland hardwoods or open fields and pastures. The flow rate of the springs and
the size of wetlands that accompany the springs can vary dramatically.
Vegetation of spring heads depends on the duration of soil saturation and the
slope of landforms supporting it. The affect of spring water temperature and
water chemistry on the flora and fauna of springs still need to be explored.
While no accurate figures exists, it is estimated that there are 500 to thousands of acres of hardwood
seeps in the state.
Some hardwood seeps have been damaged by development in the surrounding uplands, where changes
in subsurface water flow have resulted. Others may have been drained by ditching to reduce the size of
wetlands. Many survive as disturbed communities while others still persist undisturbed and in stable
communities. Because of their widespread and sporadic occurrence, little is known about their overall
condition.
Wet calcareous cliffs are vary rare, only occurring in the Tennessee River Hills Region (far
northeastern part of the state). The more widespread hardwood seeps are considered vulnerable due to
a lack of high quality spring sites that have been documented.
Range of Hardwood Seeps