Cover

CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,

THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^256

creeks to their outlets. Important animal groups inhabiting tidal creeks include mollusks, crustaceans,
other invertebrates, salt tolerant reptiles, fishes, mammals, birds and others. Examples are oysters, blue
crabs, shrimp, drum, mullet, diamondback terrapin, marsh hen, otter and raccoon.

Portions of the river channels affected by tides or by salt water intrusion, called the salt wedge (a layer
of denser saltwater underlying a less dense layer of fresh water), are called tidal river habitats. The tidal
river channels along the Mississippi coast have a wide range of flow rates, widths and depths.
Substrates range in texture from sand along segments with higher flow rates to mud along sluggish
segments. A large complement of fish and bird species are also encountered in tidal river habitats.

LOCATION, SIZE, CONDITION AND CONSERVATION STATUS
NGM

Tidally affected streams, lakes, and bays extending along the
Mississippi Sound, form a complex of subtidal estuarine communities
that range in size from 100 to 10,000 acres in size. About 34,000 acres
of this subtype are found in the state. Several large complexes of this
subtype occur within the bays and the riverine deltas of the Mississippi
coast. These tidal areas serve as major conduits for freshwater inflow
and are important avenues for water movement through brackish
marshes. The water bodies are usually nestled within brackish marsh
habitats but occasionally adjoin maritime forest or urbanized properties.
Further inland, the riverine estuaries adjoin bottomland hardwood
forests.

The quality of estuarine bays, lakes and tidal streams is dependent on the water quality of the region. In
the past they were exposed to very high levels of industrial pollution. Water pollution is monitored
more judiciously today, but water quality issues persist in this highly developed region. Stagnation
during drought can cause fish kills. Higher pollution loads lead to increased possibility of algae blooms
and anoxic conditions that lead to fish kills.

This subtype is considered vulnerable in the state due to its restricted range and potential declines due
to pollution loads in these waters and increased urbanization in the surrounding area.

SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED ASSOCIATED WITH
ESTUARINE BAYS, LAKES, AND TIDAL STREAMS

GROUP SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME TIER
Birds Haematopus palliatus American Oystercatcher 1
Charadrius wilsonia Wilson's Plover 1
Migrant Shorebirds 1

14.1 Estuarine Bays, Lakes and Tidal StreamsRange of Estaurine Bays

Lakes and Tidal Streams