02/01/2022 (4) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Exhibit "D" Scrubby Flatwoods The scrubby flatwoods community on the ORCA property consists of one stand approximately 15 acres in size. It is located in the southwestern portion of the site, bounded on the east and west by hammock community. This fire -dependent community is in the process of succeeding to hammock conditions due to fire exclusion over a long period of time. The community is therefore evaluated as being in a fair condition. Aside for the need for prescribed fire, the primary management action required of the flatwoods community is the ongoing removal and control of invasive exotic plants. Mangrove Swamp In total, approximately 55 acres of the original estuarine wetland community are intact at ORCA. It is located waterward of the mosquito impoundment berms where tidal flushing has not been impeded by the construction of the impounded areas. This community was the most heavily impacted of all the conservation area's plant communities when mosquito impoundments totaling nearly 250 acres were constructed in the 1950's and 1960's. Management needs of the mangrove community include control of encroaching invasive exotic plants and protection from damage for boat wakes and maintenance activities on the adjacent impoundment dikes. Wildlife associated with the mangrove community include the wading birds and shorebirds typical of the Indian River Lagoon, and the small fry of the Lagoon's fishery, including snook, redfish and many other popular game fish. Mosquito Impoundment The largest vegetative associations on the ORCA property are the mosquito impoundments. These areas were formerly high salt marsh and mangrove communities, and, due to Rotational Impoundment Management, now function somewhat as they did prior to ditching and diking for mosquito control. In addition to mangrove species, the impoundments are vegetated with a mix of salt -tolerant plants, including saltwort, glasswort, salt grass, sedges and sea ox -eye, and are generally in good condition. Management needs include continuous maintenance of water control structures and pumps, and the removal of encroaching invasive exotic plants. Near monocultures of Brazilian pepper with associated exotic plants is a continuing problem on the dikes surrounding the impoundments. Trimming to preserve maintenance access, occasional exotic plant removal projects and maintenance of the infrastructure (pumps, culverts and dikes) of the mosquito impoundments are the responsibility of the Mosquito Control District. Transitional Wetlands Three to four acres of this classification are located at ORCA, the majority lying between the maritime hammock and the impoundment ditch on the Flinn Tract. That area was the subject of the upland and forested wetland mitigation project discussed above. It is now in poor condition as the restoration process continues. Planting of native wetland plant species and the continued management and control of exotic plant species are needed to restore this area to more natural condition and function. 11