Inventory of Rare and Endemic Plant and Animal Species of Ponce DeLeon, Gemini, and Green Springs. Final Report

摘要

Demands for groundwater may reduce flows in St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) springs and their spring runs impacting rare and endemic plant and animal species and rare wetland communities. Numerous wetland dependent rare species exist within SJRWMD and are possibly at risk. Section 62-40.473, Florida Administrative Code, and section 373.042, Florida Statues, specifies that Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs) be set to protect non-consumptive uses of water such as fish and wildlife habitats and other natural resources values. Preservation of wildlife resources by the MFLs Program also involves protection of rare plant and animal species and communities. As a result, SJRWMD contracted with the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) to conduct rare plant, animal, and natural community surveys at Ponce DeLeon, Gemini, and Green springs all within Volusia County and all slated for MFLs determinations. At the conclusion of fieldwork, FNAI cumulatively documented at the three springs; five rare plant species (angle-pod, gopherwood buckthorn, hooded pitcher-plant, Okeechobee gourd and star anise); one non-rare endemic fish species (flagfish); one exotic fish species (suckermouth catfish); one rare reptile species (American alligator); and four rare bird species (little blue heron, limpkin, osprey, and snowy egret). Of these, the Okeechobee gourd and star anise plant species are Florida endemics and extremely rare. In addition, FNAI documented five rare natural community types at the three springs (Dome Swamp, Floodplain Forest, Hydric Hammock, Mesic Hammock, and Spring run Stream). Of these, the Mesic Hammock and Spring run Stream community types are considered quite rare.