CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^152become older, taller and more widely spaced. Shrubs become trees with large trunk dimensions and
heights over 25 to 40 feet.
LOCATION, SIZE, CONDITION AND CONSERVATION STATUS
EGCP
These forests are often situated on broad lowland flats and along drainages
which dissect low hilly uplands that support mesic longleaf pine forests. They
occur in moderate sized patches, from 50 to 1,000 acres in size. The forests
adjoin swamp forests near larger creeks. There are approximately 150,000
acres of this subtype.
This subtype is often in poor condition because of the lack of prescribed fire to
control shrub encroachment. The stands become impenetrable thickets if fire is not allowed. There are
significant acreages of this subtype still intact, albeit in poor to fair condition. Commercial timberlands
of this subtype are often bedded and planted to pine to increase the timber production.
This community is vulnerable in the state because of recent and widespread declines in the extent of
this subtype; a lack of fire has allowed many of these stands to become impenetrable shrub thickets.
SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED ASSOCIATED WITH
SLASH PINE FLATWOODS
GROUP SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME TIER
Amphibians Amphiuma pholeter One-Toed Amphiuma 1
Birds Picoides borealis Red-Cockaded Woodpecker 2
Scolopax minor American Woodcock 3
Melanerpes erythrocephalus Red-Headed Woodpecker 3
Sitta pusilla Brown-Headed Nuthatch 3
Dendroica discolor Prairie Warbler 3
Campephilus principalis Ivory-Billed Woodpecker 4
Crustaceans Procambarus fitzpatricki Spiny-Tailed Crayfish 1
Mammals Ursus americanus luteolus Louisiana Black Bear 1
Lasiurus intermedius Northern Yellow Bat 2
Lasiurus cinereus Hoary Bat 2
Myotis lucifugus Little Brown Myotis 2
Ursus americanus Black Bear 2
Puma concolor coryi Florida Panther 4
Reptiles Regina rigida deltae Delta Crayfish Snake 2
Regina rigida sinicola Gulf Crayfish Snake 3
Range of Slash Pine Flatwoods