CHAPTER IV: WILFLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^191PRIORITY CONSERVATION ACTIONS
A Plan and conduct additional research (i.e. habitat needs, status surveys, breeding status, disease,
etc.) on SGCN.
A Encourage and improve management of habitat by controlled burning at necessary frequencies
and seasons.
A Develop/implement/continue recovery plans for individual SGCN.
A Encourage restoration and improved management of altered/degraded habitat when possible.
A Encourage retention, preservation, and conservation of remaining natural habitat through
purchase, easements or MOAs.
11.5 Beaver Ponds
Value to SGCN - 16
Rank - 17th of 18 Lotic and LenticDESCRIPTION
The beaver is considered a keystone species, because
it changes the environment by creating favorable new
habitats for other species. Beavers impound small
streams to provide access to upland food sources, to
create habitat for aquatic plants suitable as food and
to provide protection for freestanding lodges or tunnel dens. Substrates usually consist of muddy silt
and clay sediments. Flow is often sluggish and sedimentation increases over time. Beaver ponds provide
habitat for various species of fish and some amphibians are more abundant in these ponds. A variety of
birds and mammals feed on the fish inhabiting the ponds. Ospreys and other birds will feed on the
wetlands created by the dam and often will forage or nest in dead snag trees that are killed by flooding.
Otters frequent the ponds in search for prey. In the Southeastern United States, beavers can cause
extensive damage to valuable timberland by flooding bottomland forests and eating tree seedlings. The
beavers' favorite tree of Southeastern forests is sweetgum. Control measures are often adopted to reduce
the damage caused to forestlands and roads. However, landowners whose own economic or recreational
interests are benefited by beaver may be reluctant to allow beavers to be removed
from their lands.
LOCATION, SIZE, CONDITION AND CONSERVATION STATUS
EGCP, UEGP, MSRAP
With the abundance of small creeks in Mississippi, there are many opportunities
for beaver to develop small impoundments. These impoundments resemble small
Range of Beaver Ponds