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CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,

THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^80

1. THE SUBTYPE CODE

AND NAME

2. THE VALUE TO SPECIES

OF GREATEST

CONSERVATION NEED

Each subtype received a score called a Value to

SGCN. These Values were derived from the

number and Tier level of SGCN associated with

each subtype (see description of Tiers in Criteria

for Selecting and Prioritizing SGCN). They

indicate the relative importance of various habitat

subtypes to SGCN and provide guidance in

predicting were actions will benefit more and/or

higher tier SGCN. Gastropods, insects and

marine fishes were deemed insufficiently known

to warrant status evaluations comparable to

evaluations of vertebrates, mussels, and crayfish

and did not contribute to the subtype value

determinations. Therefore the Values to SGCN

attributed to some subtypes are lower than

expected. Lower than expected Values related to

lack of information are most apparent in some

marine habitat subtypes. Additional work must

be performed to include species from

underrepresented groups in future iterations of

this strategy.

Since Value to SGCN is derived from the

number and Tier level of the species attributed to a

habitat subtype, it does not in all instances indicate

rarity or level of threat to a subtype. It may be

important to consider rarity ranks assigned by the

NHP or other indications of value when assessing

conservation need and implementing actions. Some

SGCN are restricted to subtypes with relatively low

values that may not benefit or could be negatively

affected by conflicting actions performed in subtypes

with higher values. Values are not an indication of

the type of actions recommended. Recommended

conservation actions will vary for each habitat

subtype. For an explanation of how Values were

determined, see Ranking Habitats in Chapter II.

3. RANK

The Values to SGCN are most useful when

comparing related habitat subtypes. Three major

complexes of related habitat subtypes have been

identified for value comparisons.

Part 2. A Guide to Using this Section

Each of the 17 major wildlife habitat types is coded by number and is described in this chapter. Under each
habitat type is a more detailed description of each subtype, its condition, location, the associated SGCN, the
subtype's rank among similar systems and its value to SGCN. Also included is a general list of prioritized threats
and potential conservation actions. To aid the reader in reviewing and using the habitat types for planning and
management purposes, the following is a guide to material included in the description of each subtype:

1.1 Dry Hardwood Forests

„ Value to SGCN - 70

„ Rank - 7th of 29 Inland Terrestrial Complexes

(Terrestrial, Wetland, Subterranean and Anthropogenic)