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occur on the barrier island near Orchid and near the St. Lucie County line. Since connection with <br />the river is impeded for impounded wetlands, impounded wetlands are generally not productive <br />nurseries for marine life. <br />While most unimpounded wetlands occur on the mainland side of the lagoon, unimpounded <br />wetlands also occur on islands within the Indian River. Many of these islands are heavily <br />forested with various species of mangroves. The mangroves provide protected nursery areas for <br />fish, crustaceans and shellfish. They also provide food for fish species such as snook, snapper, <br />tarpon, jack and sheepshead. Many animals find shelter in the roots and branches of mangroves, <br />and the trees' branches are rookeries for coastal birds such as the brown pelican and roseate <br />spoonbill. <br />Table 2.10, Wetlands and Deepwater Resources of Indian River County <br />RESOURCE DESCRIPTION ESTIMATED ACREAGE <br />(rounded to nearest 100 acres) <br />Freshwater Wetlands ...................................................83,500 <br />St. Johns Marsh...........................................................72,000 <br />Freshwater Marsh..........................................................6,300 <br />Wet prairie/pine/flatwood wetlands..............................4,700 <br />Openwater.......................................................................500 <br />Estuarine Wetlands .......................................................4,700 <br />Mangrove scrub -shrub wetland.....................................2,400 <br />SaltMarsh.....................................................................1,100 <br />Mixed mangrove/salt marsh..........................................1,200 <br />Blue Cypress Lake ........................................................6,500 <br />Sebastian River................................................................500 <br />Indian River Lagoon ...................................................16,300 <br />TOTAL.....................................................................111,500 <br />Source: Florida Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Geology Marine Resource <br />Council of East Central Florida <br />Indian River County Planning Department <br />Future Land Use Element 56 <br />