LSSC - KSC Ecology Overview

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KSC Ecology Overview

Lands and lagoons of KSC comprise 57,000 ha in Brevard and Volusia counties along the east coast of central Florida. Most of KSC is on northern Merritt Island, a barrier island complex with the adjacent Cape Canaveral. KSC occurs within a biogeographical transition zone, having faunal and floral assemblages derived from both temperate Carolinian and tropical/subtropical Caribbean biotic provinces (Robertson 1955, Boyles 1966, Ehrhart 1976, Sweet et al. 1979 , Greller 1980, Snelson 1976, Stout 1979, Gilmore et al. 1981, Provancha et al. 1986, Virnstein and Campbell 1987, DeFreese 1991). KSC occurs within a zone of moderate amphibian diversity, high reptilian diversity, low breeding land bird diversity, and low mammalian diversity within the continental U.S. (Simpson 1964, MacArthur and Wilson 1967, Harris 1984). The diversity of wildlife on KSC is attributable to the variety of upland and wetland habitats, proximity to the coast, and migratory birds.

Image to right: A satellite image of Kennedy Space Center and the East coast of Central Florida.

Fluctuating sea levels with alternating glacial-interglacial cycles have shaped the barrier island complex comprising KSC. The Merritt Island landscape probably began forming 24,000 years ago, although most sediments are not that old (Brooks 1972). Cape Canaveral probably dates <7000 years before present as does the barrier strip separating Mosquito Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. The barrier beach along Mosquito Lagoon is gradually regressing landward by seaward erosion and wash over, in contrast to Cape Canaveral which represents a progradational series of beach deposits (Mehta and Brooks 1973). The beach width and steepness vary considerably along this shoreline.

The Indian River Lagoon system contains one of the richest and productive estuarine faunas in the continental U.S. (Gilmore 1985). This complex of the Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River, and Indian River lagoons and watersheds extends 250 km along Florida's east coast (Stewart and VanArman 1987). Parts of all three lagoons are contained within KSC. Water movement in the lagoons near KSC is dominated by wind driven circulation. The average water depth is 1 m. Salinities vary from greater than 35 ppt to fresh water at drainage outfalls and some creeks. No fresh water creeks occur on KSC.

Topography on KSC is marked by a series of swales and ridges, (which represent relict dunes) ranging in height from sea level to 3 m. A narrow strip of dune and coastal strand occurs adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean. Surficial deposits are of Pleistocene and recent ages and consist primarily of sand and sandy coquina (Schmalzer and Hinkle 1990). Well drained habitats comprise about 2% of all KSC lands (Breininger et al. 1991). Detailed vegetation maps show scrub and pine flat woods as the dominant upland communities (Provancha et al. 1986). Fresh and salt marshes occur adjacent to the estuary and in low areas interspersed in scrub and pine flat woods (Schmalzer and Hinkle 1985). Forests occur on higher areas among marshes and lower areas among scrub and pine flat woods. The climate is warm and humid. Mean daily maximum temperatures range from 21C in January to 31C in July. Mean daily minimum temperatures range from 11C in January and 23C in July (Mailander 1990). Freezes seldom occur for more than three consecutive nights (Mailander 1990); Merritt Island had 44 days with freezing temperatures over its 47 year record, whereas mainland Titusville had 351 days with freezing temperatures for a 93 year period (Mailander 1990). There is a seven percent chance that hurricane force winds (121 km/hr) will reach the 80 km stretch of KSC /CCAFS coastline during hurricane season (August through November) (Simpson and Lawrence 1971, as cited in Bradley 1972). KSC has one of the highest frequencies of lightning strikes in the world with 1400 +/- 840 cloud to ground strikes per month during the summer (Eastern Test and Missile Center 1989). Annual normal rainfall ranges from 54 to 56 inches depending on location with nearly 70% occurring between June and September (Mailander 1990). Rainfall is relatively clean but may range to a low pH of 4.5 to 4.7 (Madsen et al. 1992). Water levels are lowest in spring due to low rainfall combined with high evapotranspiration (Schmalzer and Hinkle 1990).

KSC and CCAFS are the largest public lands along Florida's Atlantic coast. Indigenous human occupation in the region occurred from 8000 BC to 1705 AD and there was some clearing, the use of fire in wild lands, and building of shell middens (e.g., Turtle Mound) (Davidson and Bratton 1986). Spanish colonization until 1762 involved free-ranging cattle, annual burns in the St. Johns watershed, and some citrus planting; however, disturbance was probably minor on KSC. English colonization and Spanish retrogression involved some draining and diking, limited live oak and pine logging, and some plantation farming. With early Florida statehood (1845-1861) came extensive live oak logging and some town establishment around citrus groves, followed by abandonment. After the Civil War, railroad establishment led to permanent towns associated with the citrus industry. Logging of virgin pine became prevalent. From 1900-1962 there was repeated logging of pine, burning for free-ranging cattle, and the draining and diking of wetlands for mosquito control (Davidson and Bratton 1986). Brevard County was predominantly rural prior to 1950. From 1950 to 1960, the population grew from 23,500 to 111,500, largely due to the arrival of military personnel ( U.S. Air Force [USAF] 1990). The population was estimated to be 338,000 in Brevard County in 1985 and now is greater than 400,000. Employment at KSC peaked during 1968 when there were nearly 26,000 employees associated with the Apollo program. After the Apollo program ended, the KSC workforce declined to 8,500 in 1976 and later rose to 18,500 by 1990 to support the space shuttle program (Edward E. Clark Engineers-Scientists, Inc. 1993). Prior to NASA acquisition, there were some small towns, fish camps, citrus groves, and other human establishments on KSC. Although much of the land was not extensively developed, it was altered by drainage practices, mosquito control impoundments, grazing, timbering, hunting, and roads (Trost 1968, Davidson and Bratton 1986).

Beginning in the 1950's, Allan D. Cruickshank played a major role in popularizing bird watching in Florida and brought much fame to the area now known as KSC (Kale 1988). In 1962, NASA began acquiring KSC property. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR), managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), was established in 1963 to manage lands and waters not being used directly by the space program. Canaveral National Seashore (CNS), managed by the National Park Service (NPS), was established in 1975. NASA remains the landowner and lands are occasionally removed from the refuge or seashore as needed by the space program (NASA 1979, Edward E. Clark Engineers-Scientists, Inc. 1986).

Environmental monitoring objectives on KSC, as administered by the NASA Space Port Operations Directorate Environmental Management Office include operation and construction monitoring, long-term ambient monitoring, and ecological research (Hall, et.al. 1992). Environmental management and permitting are the responsibility of the Environmental Management Office within the Directorate. One of eight overall goals of KSC is to enhance and protect KSC's unique environment (KSC Strategic Plan 1991). The KSC Strategic Plan identifies the need to apply new and existing techniques, processes, and materials to preserve the environment. Initiatives related to wildlife include minimizing effects attributed to new facilities, enhancing workforce awareness, minimizing environmental risks, and enhancing prediction and analysis capability to enhance environmental management.

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