2010-252A (09) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element association and scrub communities are found along the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge, proximate to the St. Sebastian River, and along the Ten Mile Ridge west of and adjacent to the Interstate 95 corridor. In the past, historic areas of scrub habitat have been drastically reduced by urban development, especially scrub along the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge, an area which is roughly parallel to and proximate to U.S. Highway #1. According to site plan information and estimates derived from the Planning Division's database, there are approximately 2,860 acres of scrub communities remaining in Indian River County. Over half of this acreage is located along the Atlantic Coast Sand Ridge. Approximately 900 acres of scrub are located along the South Prong of the St. Sebastian River, 300 acres of which are along east bank. These 300 acres are dominated by xeric hammocks and are undergoing sporadic development. Another 600 acre tract is located along the west bank of the river. Most of the remaining acreage of scrub habitat can be found in the area of the Ten Mile Ridge. In comparison to other habitats, scrub communities typically have fewer plant species. Scrub communities, however, have the greatest number of endemic species (i.e. species found only in a particular region). Generally, vegetation in the sand pine scrub community consists of sand pines occupying the canopy, and scrubby oaks and other shrubs, vines, and lichens comprising the understory. Little herbaceous understory exists, and large areas of bare sand can be commonly Community Development Department Indian River County 44