CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^175A Discourage incompatible recreational uses.
A Improve enforcement of existing species protection regulations.
A Control/exclude predators of selected SGCN and discourage intentional or unintentional
supplemental feeding of predators.
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.
10.2 Small Stream Swamp Forests
Score - 91
Rank - 1st of 29 Inland Terrestrial Complexes
(Terrestrial, Wetland, Subterranean and Anthropogenic)DESCRIPTION
The lower gulf coastal plain has a dense network of brooks,
creeks and rivers. The uplands serve as infiltration zones that
produce seepage beds along lower slopes and intervening
drainages. Many of the smaller creeks are not deeply incised
because of low coastland relief and the lack of stream
headcutting. Their floodplains are often protected by a dense
mat of interwoven roots, especially those of sweetbay and
blackgum. The poorly drained sandy and loamy soils hold
moisture through dry seasons and most droughts. The wettest
zones of the seepage areas and creek channels support a growth of sphagnum moss. The anoxic, acidic
conditions prevent decomposition of leaf litter and help in the formation of organic muck soils.
The bay forest swamp occupies semi-permanently saturated sandy or humic, acid soils. Species
composition varies depending on moisture and soil characteristics. Sweetbay and blackgum are the most
common trees. Pond cypress is locally common on wetter sites near the coast. Red maple, slash pine,
sweetgum, tuliptree, swamp laurel oak and water oak are also common. Longleaf pine, spruce pine and
beech are occasionally encountered. There are often extensive thickets of shrubs and small trees
including swamp titi, large gallberry, bayberry, American holly, azalea, blueberries and Florida anise.
Bay swamps usually have a scant cover of herbs due to the heavy shading of the tree and shrub layers
and contain patches of sphagnum moss. Waterwillow, giant cane, panic grass, cinnamon fern and netted
chainfern are sprinkled throughout the community. Titi thickets can be created by logging small stream
swamp forests and wet savannas. Exposing the lower shrub layer to sunlight allow the shrubs to flourish
and increase in density that can limit the regeneration of swamp trees. Unless the thickets are burned or