CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^292SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED ASSOCIATED WITH CAVES
GROUP SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME TIER
Amphibians Eurycea lucifuga Cave Salamander 2
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus Spring Salamander 2
Mammals Myotis austroriparius Southeastern Myotis 1
Myotis lucifugus Little Brown Myotis 2
Myotis grisescens Gray Myotis 2
Myotis septentrionalis Northern Myotis 2
Corynorhinus rafinesquii Rafinesque's Big-Eared Bat 2
Myotis sodalis Indiana Or Social Myotis 4
THREATS TO CAVE COMMUNITIES
Recreation Activities high
Over Exploitation/Incidental Capture: Scientific Collection medium
Incompatible Water Quality low
Incompatible Resource Extraction Practices low
Miscellaneous Threats Described: Altered Air Flow, Trash, Waste low
Groundwater and Surface Water Withdrawal low
Forestry Conversion low
Agricultural Conversion low
PRIORITY CONSERVATION ACTIONS
A Plan and conduct additional research (i.e. habitat needs, status surveys, breeding status, disease,
etc.) on SGCN.
A Discourage/limit human access in highly critical areas and special habitats, when possible.
A Develop/implement/continue recovery plans for individual SGCN.
A Encourage restoration and improved management of altered/degraded habitat when possible.
A Encourage and improve agricultural/forestry/watershed land-use planning and BMPs to address
nonpoint pollution, erosion and water quality issues.
A Maintain/improve/restore hydrologic (depth, hydroperiod, flow) and geomorphic (channel
sinuosity, floodplain, microtopography) integrity.
A Encourage retention, preservation, and conservation of remaining natural habitat through
purchase, easements or MOAs.
A Monitor/limit commercial/residential/industrial point source erosion and sedimentation or
pollution into streams/atmosphere.
A Improve environmental review and permit process and oversight and enforcement of existing
regulations in important habitats/populations.
A Limit/discourage surface and ground water withdrawals that are not sustainable and significantly
alter flow, depth or salt intrusion.