CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSSERVATION ACTIONS^195an extensive levee system contains floodwaters. Despite these modifications,
the river has a unique fauna, for which research has been limited.
CONDITION AND CONSERVATION STATUS
Because the Mississippi River is a very important artery for commerce and
trade, it is constantly modified to maintain navigation channels. The channel
has been shortened by cutting off bendways. Dikes are used to direct flow of
the river to maintain channels. The river’s banks and the riverbed itself are
armored with rip-rap and concrete to prevent erosion. Floodwaters are held in
check by extensive levees. However, the sheer size of the Mississippi River
makes it a dynamic and important biotic system, and one that is challenging to
study.
Because this river subtype is under constant modification it should be considered vulnerable in the
state.
SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED ASSOCIATED WITH
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
GROUP SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME TIER
Birds Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle 2
Sterna antillarum athalassos Interior Least Tern 2
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos American White Pelican 3
Fish Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon 1
Cycleptus elongatus Blue Sucker 2
Noturus flavus Stonecat 2
Ichthyomyzon castaneus Chestnut Lamprey 2
Fundulus dispar Northern Starhead Topminnow 2
Stizostedion canadense Sauger 3
Stizostedion vitreum Walleye 3
Ictiobus niger Black Buffalo 3
Atractosteus spatula Alligator Gar 3
Polyodon spathula Paddlefish 3
Macrhybopsis gelida Sturgeon Chub 4
Macrhybopsis meeki Sicklefin Chub 4
Platygobio gracilis Flathead Chub 4
Mussels Potamilus capax Fat Pocketbook 1
Potamilus alatus Pink Heelsplitter 3
Reptiles Macrochelys temminckii Alligator Snapping Turtle 2
Mississippi River