Cover

CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,

THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^271

Only a fraction of the original barrier island seagrass beds exist today. Seagrass beds were quite
luxuriant prior to going into serious decline due to damages caused by Hurricane Camille. Since then
they have been increasing somewhat in abundance along the coastal mainland in areas of lower salinity
levels. Those that occur just north of the barrier islands remain sparsely populated and only a remnant
of their original extent. Hurricane damage, a decline in water quality and destruction of the beds by
channel maintenance, dredging, commercial and recreation boat traffic are factors which have
contributed to the extensive losses of this community. Seagrass beds of widgeon grass and tape grass
found along the coastal mainlands and in tidal creeks and rivers seem to be recovering from earlier
declines.

Seagrass Beds are imperiled in the state because of rarity due to very restricted range and steep declines
due to several factors mentioned above.

SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED ASSOCIATED WITH
SEAGRASS BEDS

GROUP SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME TIER
Birds Pelecanus occidentalis Brown Pelican 2
Anas acuta Northern Pintail 3
Anas rubripes American Black Duck 3
Aythya affinis Lesser Scaup 3
Fish Atractosteus spatula Alligator Gar 3
Mammals Trichechus manatus Manatee 2
Reptiles Pseudemys alabamensis Alabama Redbelly Turtle 1
Lepidochelys kempii Kemp's or Atlantic Ridley 1
Malaclemys terrapin pileata Mississippi Diamondback Terrapin 2

THREATS TO SEAGRASS BEDS

Incompatible Water Quality high
Recreation Activities: Prop Scarring high
Channel Modification high
Over Exploitation/Incidental Capture high
Miscellaneous Threats Described: Salinity Regime high
Miscellaneous Threats Described: Trawler Damage high
Industrial Development: Indirect Effects medium
Second Home/Vacation Home Development: Indirect Impacts medium
Urban/Suburban Development: Indirect Impacts medium
Operation of Dams/Impoundments: Including Construction low
Invasive Species low