Native Habitat Inventory Final Report 2004 - St. Lucie County

Canals surround the site but the site appears to maintain some hydrological integrity for a
mosaic of Dry and Wet Prairies, Strand Swamps, and uplands. There are shallow ditches
in the western part of the site where the Wet Prairies drain into the Strand Swamps.
These would need to be filled in to restore the natural flow of water. There are also a few
shallow ditches in the Dry Prairie on the eastern part of the site that would need to be
filled in as well.
Table 2. Community Types present on site and their rankings.
FNAI Natural Community Acreage FNAI Rank Global FNAI Rank State
BS / Dome Swamp 3.23 G4? S4?
FW / Strand Swamp 40.54 G4? S4?
MF / Dry Prairie 205.27 G2 S2
MF / Mesic Flatwoods 46.36 G? S4
MF / Prairie Hammock 3.62 G4 S4
WF / Wet Prairie 45.80 G? S4?
Site History/Habitat Disturbance – The site is currently being used as a cattle
pasture and the hydrological changes mentioned previously have been made to dry out
the site for the cattle. There has been some clearing of the Strand Swamp at the north
central part of the site. The felled cypress trees were laid in rows. Brazilian pepper is
growing from them and forming thick stands. The Brazilian pepper is also found along
the edge of the strands and along some of the canals.
Table 3. Listed Species observed.
Common Name Scientific Name Federal
Status
none
State
Status
FNAI Rank
Global/State
Endemic
to Florida
Table 4. Invasive Exotic Species observed
Common Name Scientific Name FLEPPC
Status
State
Status
Brazilian Pepper Schinus terebinthifolius Cat I Prohibited none
Federal
Status
Ownership/Notes – The site is very isolated and there is no direct route to reach
the site by car. It is surrounded on three sides by citrus farms. There are 4 landowners.
The largest landowner is Green Groves and Ranch Ltd (217 acres).
Recommendation/Management Requirements – The site requires some
hydrological restoration and removal of Brazilian pepper. In addition, a fire regime
needs to be established to maintain the prairies and clear out the understory in the Mesic
Flatwoods. Prior to implementing a prescribed fire regime, mechanical removal of some
of the understory from the Mesic Flatwoods might be necessary.
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