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Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Table 8.5 WETLANDS IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY MAP NO. NAME APPROXIMATE ACREAGE Unimpounded Wetland Areas 31. Pelican Island 3 32. Roosevelt Island 15 33. North Horseshoe Island 46 34. Horseshoe Island 173 35. Paul's Island 27 36. Middle Island 2 37. Nelson Island 23 38. Preacher Island 97 39. Pete's Island 56 40. South end of Pine Island 107 41. Barker Island 76 42. Barker Island Chain 48 43. Wabasso Island 45 44. Winter Beach Marsh 100 SOURCE: Indian River County Planning Department; Indian River Mosquito Control District In Indian River County, mosquito impoundments account for nearly 18 percent of the total acreage of wetlands throughout the IRL system. Although impounding estuarine wetlands is an effective method of controlling the mosquito population, impounding wetlands reduces the amount of potential habitat for fish and shellfish. To manage the mosquito impoundments throughout the IRL system, the Indian River Mosquito Control District (IRMCD) utilizes five methods. These include: rotational impoundment management (RIM), seasonal flooding, permanent flooding, breached, and open marsh water management (OMWM). A detailed discussion of mosquito impoundment management techniques is contained in the Coastal Management Element. Mosquito impoundments connected to the IRL provide important habitat for species of juvenile fish, including tarpon, common snook and mullet. Conversely, mosquito impoundments excluded from tidal exchange are generally characterized by only a few species of fish, most notably the sheepshead minnow, gulf killifish, mosquitofish, and sailfin molly. Most of these species are naturally carnivorous or omnivorous; however, due to reduced salinity levels, they tend to become herbivorous or detritivorous when contained in an impounded marsh (Woodward -Clyde, 1994). Community Development Department Indian River County 60