CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^91A Enhance viability of SGCN by providing habitat corridors between disjunct populations or
subpopulations.
A Provide public education about conservation of SGCN and/or their habitats.
A Discourage incompatible recreational uses.
A Improve enforcement of existing species protection regulations.
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.
1.2 Dry Longleaf Pine Forests
Value to SGCN - 87
Rank -^2 nd of 29 of Inland Terrestrial Complexes
(Terrestrial, Wetland, Subterranean and Anthropogenic)DESCRIPTION
Sandhill longleaf pine, longleaf pine-blackjack oak and longleaf
pine-saw palmetto forests collectively represent this subtype.
They are found on mid and upper slopes, shoulder slopes and
ridge tops. Soils are dry, well-drained to excessively well-
drained sands and sandy loams. Two-thirds or more of the
canopy trees are longleaf pine. The subtype includes both
savanna and forest types. Several dozen less abundant species,
such as turkey oak, sand post oak and flowering dogwood, may
be present. Drought tolerant forbs (non-grassy herbaceous plants) are often isolated on these upland
sites and are heavily dependent on prescribed fire, which prevents excessive shrub encroachment.
LOCATION, SIZE, CONDITION AND CONSERVATION STATUS
EGCP, UEGCP
The dry longleaf pine forest subtype is found on scattered ridgetops and isolated
sandy uplands in the southern part of the state. The uplands are insular patches
situated within a matrix of mesic pine forests and habitats converted to other
uses (plantations, suburban, etc...). The size of the patches range from 50 to
1,000 acres. Little is known about the size of area of the dry longleaf pine
forests subtype in the state, but it is estimated that the community has a total
area of 40,000 acres.
The upland sites that support this community have been used for road corridors, Range of Dry Longleaf Pine Forests