CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^285especially birds have thrived in urban settings and may be more common than in presettlement times.
Urban lands may contain parks and possibly functional riverine bottomlands that provide corridors and
stopping points for migratory birds.
Urban and suburban lands are secure because this habitat is common, widespread and abundant in the
state.
SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED ASSOCIATED WITH
URBAN AND SUBURBAN LANDS
GROUP SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME TIER
Amphibians Bufo nebulifer Gulf Coast Toad 3
Birds Thryomanes bewickii Bewick's Wren 1
Columbina passerina Common Ground-Dove 2
Tyto alba Common Barn-Owl 3
PRIORITY CONSERVATION ACTIONS
A Plan and conduct additional research (i.e. habitat needs, status surveys, breeding status, disease,
etc.) on SGCN.
A Develop/implement/continue recovery plans for individual SGCN.
A Encourage and improve agricultural/forestry/watershed land-use planning and BMPs to address
nonpoint pollution, erosion and water quality issues.
A Maintain/improve/restore hydrologic (depth, hydroperiod, flow) and geomorphic (channel
sinuosity, floodplain, microtopography) integrity.
A Limit bulk-heading along coastal drainages.
A Encourage retention, preservation, and conservation of remaining natural habitat through
purchase, easements or MOAs.
A Initiate propagation program or establish nest box program for selected SGCN.
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 Reduce wetland filling and ensure/encourage local, comparable mitigation for wetland loss and
maintain updated flood zone maps.
A Provide public education about conservation of SGCN and/or their habitats.
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.