Native Habitat Inventory Final Report 2004 - St. Lucie County

Site Number: 44
Site Rank: A Total Acreage: 367
Edge Acreage: NA Percent Core to Edge: NA
Table 1. Ecological Criteria Scores by Natural Community Type. This is an areaweighted
average value score for each natural community present on site. Numbers in
bold have significant above average resource value (>3.0). Natural Communities in bold
have at least two of the content resource values (rarity, connectivity, and completeness)
above average (>3.0). Overall Ecological Value = 0.87
FNAI Natural
Community Rarity Connectivity Completeness Vulnerability Manageability
CU / Maritime
Hammock 5.0 5.0 3.0 1.0 3.0
XU / Scrub 5.0 5.0 3.0 1.0 3.0
Key Features – This site contains some of the last large contiguous or near
contiguous blocks of Maritime Hammock and coastal Scrub communities in the county.
These rare communities often contain equally rare species such as large-flowered
rosemary, nodding pinweed, inkberry, coastal hoary pea, Florida scrub jays, Florida mice,
Florida scrub lizards, Sherman’s Fox Squirrel, barbed-wire cactus, fragrant prickly-apple,
and reddish peperomia. This tract in combination with the adjacent existing conservation
lands would likely be large enough to support viable populations of many of the rare
plants and animals.
Importance – In addition to containing some of the last large blocks of Maritime
Hammock and coastal Scrub communities in the county, the protection of this site would
also benefit the adjacent existing conservation lands. It would increase the total acreage,
as well as create more core area that would be buffered from the effects of the edge (i.e.
invasive exotic species and feral pets). It would also provide a buffer from development
that often precludes active management (e.g. prescribed fire).
Connectivity – Within 500 feet of existing conservation lands.
Proximity to Urban Areas – Within 500 feet of an urban center.
Proximity to primary and secondary roads – Within 500 feet of a major roadway.
Table 2. Community Types present on site and their rankings.
FNAI Natural Community Acreage FNAI Rank Global FNAI Rank State
CU / Maritime Hammock 68.9 G4 S2
XU / Scrub 298 G2 S2
98