|
16
<br /> ' land crabs , and bobcats . Freshwater lakes with water control structures that ultimately
<br /> connect to the Lagoon could allow anadromous fish migration , benefitting pipefish ,
<br /> ' snook , and gobies . This could result in the recruitment of 10 fish species unique to this
<br /> area . Seasonally fluctuating ponds would benefit frogs , salamanders , crayfish , land
<br /> crabs , Rivulus, red -bellied sliders , mud turtles and snapping turtles . The freshwater
<br /> ' wetlands would provide foraging grounds for nesting and wintering birds . The old field
<br /> habitat would benefit southeastern beach mice , ground doves , gopher tortoises , and
<br /> migrants such as bobolinks and loggerhead shrikes .
<br /> In the proposed tidal restoration , mud flats , sea grass beds , salt marsh , and mangrove
<br /> swamp communities are planned . Exposed mud flats (or exposed bottoms) lack rooted
<br /> plants , but support algae communities . Oyster bars are another important component
<br /> of this community . They provide cover for invertebrates and small fish , which in turn
<br /> provide a forage base for animals along the food chain . Key species for mud flats are
<br /> ' segmented worms , brittle stars , clams , oysters , stingrays , and flounders . Sea grass
<br /> beds are submerged and play a prominent role as a nursery . In grass meadows , 214
<br /> fish species have been identified , of which 87 % were juveniles . Key species include
<br /> ' manatees , juvenile green sea turtles , redfish , spotted sea trout , sea horses , blue crabs ,
<br /> clams , shrimp , sea urchins , and wading and diving birds . Salt marshes are areas of
<br /> salt tolerant wetland vegetation , often containing ponds , natural depressions , and
<br /> ' creeks that are utilized by fish , crabs , and shrimp . Other key species include diamond -
<br /> back terrapins , fiddler crabs , marsh rabbits , Atlantic salt marsh snakes , piping plovers ,
<br /> clapper rails , and wood storks . In mangrove swamps and fringes , mangroves trap and
<br /> ' collect sediment to help stabilize shorelines and reduce flood damage . Over 100 fish
<br /> species and shellfish are dependent on mangroves . Key animal species are mangrove
<br /> water snakes , river otters , racoons , mangrove crabs , snook , pelicans , wood storks ,
<br /> herons , egrets , shorebirds , periwinkle snails , conch , and juvenile and predatory fish .
<br /> The restoration of the proposed area to natural communities would : ( 1 ) increase the
<br /> protection of the historic rookery on Pelican Island by providing a buffer of native
<br /> habitats on lands surrounding the island ; (2 ) restore natural communities for the benefit
<br /> of wildlife ; (3) restore the water table to higher, natural conditions ; (4) restore the flow
<br /> and function of tidal wetlands ; (5) contribute to providing a natural community link
<br /> between Pelican Island NWR and Archie Carr NWR ; and (6 ) enhance educational and
<br /> ' recreational opportunities .
<br /> 4 . 3 Alternative 3 : Partial Restoration .
<br /> Restore native habitats by removing exotic plants , including citrus groves , and
<br /> converting to maritime hammocks and palm hammocks . No wetlands would be
<br /> ' restored .
<br /> Like under alternative 2 , citrus trees and exotic vegetation would be removed from the
<br /> proposed 158-acre site located predominantly between Jungle Trail and the
<br /> impoundments ( Figure 3 ) . However, unlike alternative 2 , no freshwater or marsh
<br />
|