Native Habitat Inventory Final Report 2004 - St. Lucie County

Site Number: 51
Site Rank: A Total Acreage: 10
Edge Acreage: 10 Percent Core to Edge: 100
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 = 0.53
FNAI Natural
Community Rarity Connectivity Completeness Vulnerability Manageability
CU / Coastal
Strand 4.0 2.0 2.0 4.0 2.0
Key Features – This site has the open appearance of Coastal Grassland, but its
species composition most closely matches early successional Coastal Strand or Maritime
Hammock. Coastal Strand, locationally and successionally, is ecotonal between Beach
Dune and Maritime Hammock. The fact that this site does not readily conform to any one
FNAI community, possibly due to human disturbance, does not detract from the fact that
it is fairly nice quality.
Importance – This area is noteworthy primarily because it is a relatively intact
patch of old coastal dune, which has largely been developed throughout St. Lucie County.
Its proximity to the existing conservation lands (to the west) also make it noteworthy as a
diverse addition to that area. This site has at least one rare species, Lantana depressa,
and a relatively low density of exotics. With time and management, this area could easily
become an excellent quality remnant of coastal dune habitat.
Connectivity – Within 500 feet of existing conservation lands.
Proximity to Urban Areas – Greater than a half mile from an urban center
Proximity to primary and secondary roads – Within 500 feet of a major roadway.
Hydrology – The hydrology appears undisturbed. The whole site is fairly
homogeneous, with deep, well-drained sand.
Table 2. Community Types present on site and their rankings.
FNAI Natural Community Acreage FNAI Rank Global FNAI Rank State
CU / Coastal Strand 10.0 G3 S2
108