[GENERALLY]

Individual natural communities found in the city are inventoried below (with the corresponding categories from the Florida Land Use Cover and Forms Classification System by the Florida Department of Transportation, indicated adjacent to the natural community name), along with identifying characteristics regarding their location and major vegetative components. Also included under each category is a species list of those endangered, threatened, and special concern plants and animals (referred to as "listed vegetative species" and "listed animal species") which could be found inhabiting such an area. The status of these species is indicated after their scientific name as the following categories:

* E - Endangered

* T - Threatened

* T(S/A) - Threatened due to similarity of appearance, i.e., to other endangered or threatened species abroad, for trade reasons

* SSC - Species of special concern

* C - Commercially exploited

The state and federal agencies determining the listed species status are as follows:

* FDA - Florida Department of Agriculture

* USFWS - United States Fish and Wildlife Service

* FGFWFC - Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission

Protection of listed species is regulated by the Wildlife Code of the State of Florida and the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Any additional species which are given the endangered, threatened, or species of special concern status, as a result of annual updating of the state and federal lists that are found in F.S. § 581.185 (Native Flora), Section 39-27, Florida Administrative Code, (Animals) and 50 CFR, Part 17.11, Federal Register (Animals) and 50 CFR, Part 17.12, Federal Register (Plants), are incorporated and adopted as part of this "Exhibit A, Natural Communities Listing."

WETLANDS NATURAL COMMUNITIES

* MANGROVE SWAMP (#612)

Coastal forested hardwood communities of black mangroves are found in the Halifax River, which has estuary tidal shorelines not subject to wave action. Legal protection has been granted to mangrove swamps under Chapter 17-27 of the Florida Administrative Code, since the plants therein can withstand flooding and will protect shorelines and adjacent areas from erosion. This ecosystem is also protected because it serves as nursery grounds for many fish and shellfish species and nesting/roosting sites for many bird species. Export of organic matter from the system to other wetland communities is important to the viability of such interconnecting communities.

The major vegetative species associated with this community include:

Listed vegetative species associated with this community include:

Listed animal species associated with this community include:

* SALT WATER MARSHES (#642)

Herbaceous materials in brackish areas adjacent to the Rose Bay, Strickland Bay, and Spruce Creek water bodies, make up this community. Such a wetland contributes to flood control, water purification, and the high productivity and cover of this environment provides nursery and feeding habitat for many marine invertebrates and other wildlife. This system also exports with tidal action, organic matter for use by organisms in adjoining ecosystems. The vegetation in such a marsh will vary, depending on the degree of water salinity and the tidal action as it affects inundation depth and frequency.

The major vegetative species associated with this community include:

Listed vegetative species associated with this community include:

Listed animal species associated with this community include:

* FRESH WATER MARSHES AND PRAIRIES (#641, 643)

Herbaceous emergent and floating submerged material, indicative of freshwater areas, are found along portions of Spruce Creek. In a flat area tributary to Spruce Creek, north of Pioneer Trail, wet prairies may also be found in isolated pockets or connected to the cypress swamps in pine flatwoods, which occur throughout the western portion of the city. Such wetland types contribute to flood control, water purification, production of fresh water fish, and habitat for many wildlife species. The marshes tend to have more water and taller herbage than do the prairies. Water levels within the marshes may vary from six inches to six feet deep, with ensuing variations in the dominant plant species.

The major vegetative species associated with these communities include:

Listed vegetative species associated with these communities include:

Listed animal species associated with these communities include:

* FRESH WATER SWAMPS (#610, 611, 617, 621, 630)

A forested area with standing water (for a portion if not the entire year) characterizes this type of wetland. The dominating tree composition in such a forest may differ from one microclimate to another. Bottom land hardwood forests are found in floodplain situations along Spruce Creek, west of Interstate 95, while the remaining swamps are found as isolated pockets subject to a seasonal rising water table. Cypress, bay, and hardwood swamps are found mostly along Spruce Creek and in the western part of the city, along either side of Interstate 95, amongst pine flatwoods and dry prairies. Such areas are important to flood control, water purification, and wildlife habitat.

The major vegetative species associated with these communities include:

Listed vegetative species associated with these communities include:

Listed animal species associated with these communities include:

UPLAND NATURAL COMMUNITIES

* SCRUB (#413, 432)

Flat, dry, sandy ridge areas of pine forest, sand live oak and/or heavy-clumpy underbrush, dependent upon fire for regeneration, characterize this community. Such an environment is found along a ridge between Clyde Morris Boulevard and Nova Road, throughout the length of the city. Within this type of community, water recharge from rainfall takes place as does inhabitation by many wildlife species.

The major vegetative species associated with these communities include:

Listed vegetative species associated with this community include:

Listed animal species associated with this community include:

* SANDHILLS (#412)

Stands of tall pine trees having a mid-story of xeric oak and an open understory, typical of this community, can be seen east of Interstate 95, in association with uplands along Spruce Creek. The frequency of natural fires in these areas assures that the characteristic plant composition and groupings remain intact, with fewer hardwoods and shrubs than the scrub areas. Within this type of community, water recharge from rainfall takes place, as does inhabitation by many wildlife species.

The major vegetative species associated with this community include:

Listed vegetative species associated with this community include:

Listed animal species associated with this community include:

TRANSITIONAL NATURAL COMMUNITIES

PINE FLATWOODS (#411)

Flat sites with poor drainage, harboring mesic to wet trees and herbaceous material, make up this community which is found along either side of Interstate 95 in the western part of the city. Wetland pockets are commonly found in depressions of the flatwoods community. Many wildlife species find habitat in such areas.

The major vegetative species associated with this community include:

Listed vegetative species associated with this community include:

Listed animal species associated with this community include:

* DRY PRAIRIES (#321, 330)

Flat areas similar to pine flatwoods without the trees, make up this community, which is found in the western part of the city north of Dunlawton Avenue. Such an area is generally dry, but may withstand periodic flooding. Some bird and reptilian wildlife find habitat here.

The major vegetative species associated with this community include:

Listed vegetative species associated with this community include:

Listed animal species associated with this community include:

* HARDWOOD HAMMOCKS (#423, 425)

Forests with large broad-leaved oaks and other hardwoods dominating them, are called hammocks. The importance of pine trees as a component species varies from one type of hardwood forest to another. Wetter sites may have cypress trees present also. Hammocks may be situated beside water bodies or on high, well-drained ground. Locally, they are found along Spruce Creek and Rose Bay, and in a strip along both sides of Nova Road. These communities are habitat to many wildlife species.

The major vegetative species associated with this community include:

Listed vegetative species associated with this community include:

Listed animal species associated with this community include: