CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^94regulations in important habitats/populations.
A Reduce wetland filling and ensure/encourage local, comparable mitigation for wetland loss and
maintain updated flood zone maps.
A Control exotic and invasive species (plant and animal).
A 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 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.
1.3 Dry to Mesic (dry to moderately moist)
Hardwood Forests
Value to SGCN - 66
Rank - 9th of 29 Inland Terrestrial Complexes
(Terrestrial, Wetland, Subterranean and Anthropogenic)DESCRIPTION
This hardwood type refers to a collection of dry to moderately
moist mixed oak, oak-pine and mixed hardwood communities.
This subtype is found on gentle to moderate mid and lower
slopes with deeper soils. Nutrient and moisture availability is
somewhat higher and more available throughout the growing
season. Soils are often moist, moderately-well-drained to well-
drained and fine to loamy in texture. With its rapid ability to
reseed and grow, white oak is one of the most important oaks
and tends to dominate many stands in Mississippi. Loblolly pine, pignut hickory and water oak are also
common. Other oaks, such as post, Shumard and northern red, exhibit lower reproductive rates and their
abundance has probably decreased over time. Under standard forest management schemes, these species
are less competitive than white oak and pines. Species have different environmental preferences within
the mesic forest type: Shumard oak prefers fine textured soils; white ash, circumneutral soils; and
tuliptree tulip poplar, areas with ample available moisture. Smaller or subcanopy trees and shrubs may
include beech, hop hornbeam, flowering dogwood and sourwood. The maritime live oak forest habitat
type, although considered an upland forest type, has been included with the maritime forests subtype
(13.7).