CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^272
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.
A Encourage buffers and improve land use practices adjacent to streams (SMZs) and other aquatic/
wetland habitats.
A Monitor/limit commercial/residential/industrial point source erosion and sedimentation or
pollution into streams/atmosphere.
A Develop/improve urban/suburban/infrastructure land use development planning/zoning to
address SGCN habitats.
A Improve environmental review and permit process and oversight and enforcement of existing
regulations in important habitats/populations.
A Reduce wetland filling and ensure/encourage local, comparable mitigation for wetland loss and
maintain updated flood zone maps.
A Limit/discourage surface and ground water withdrawals that are not sustainable and significantly
alter flow, depth or salt intrusion.
A Control exotic and invasive species (plant and animal).
A Provide public education about conservation of SGCN and/or their habitats.
A Miscellaneous conservation actions as described: Map potential habitats
14.7 Mollusk Reefs
Value to SGCN - 17
Rank - 14th of 17 Marine, Estuarine and Estuarine Fringe Systems
DESCRIPTION
Mollusk or oyster reefs are beds of oysters that range in thickness from the width of a single oyster to a
width of six or more feet. Most of the sediments associated with oyster reefs consist of sandy mud or
gravelly muddy sand. Oysters require a hard substrate for attachment, i.e., other shell material, wood or
rock. Once attachment is secure, the oysters can perpetuate themselves by building on the shells of other