The Habitat Health of Kiawah Island
The habitat health of Kiawah Island Kiawah’s rich ecology is exhibited by the various habitats found across the Island and the numerous wildlife species those
habitats support. Collectively, the variety of flora found in the maritime forests, tidal salt marshes and shrub thickets provides support for a great diversity of wildlife. As a
developed, resort community, this makes Kiawah Island especially unique.
Gaining a complete understanding of the Island’s different habitats allows the Kiawah Conservancy to make important decisions regarding land conservation and
habitat improvement. The following information provides a review of the current state of the Island’s habitat health:
Kiawah Island Habitats (with percentage of total Kiawah Island area)
• Intertidal Beach: 354 acres (4%) – Nesting and foraging space for a variety of shorebirds.
• Dunes: 340 acres (4%) – Sea turtles nest along Kiawah’s primary dunes, which also provide an important natural buffer for the Island.
• Maritime Shrub Thicket: 158 acres (2%) – The most important daytime resting cover for bobcats.
• Maritime Forest: 685 acres (8%) – The most diverse habitat on Kiawah, supporting a host of wildlife.
• Salt Shrub Thicket: 476 acres (6%) – A key space for painted buntings and other migratory songbirds.
• Tidal Salt Marsh: 3,798 acres (44%) – One of the most productive habitat types on Earth, the marsh also provides space for wading birds and nursery areas for fish.
• Ponds: 395 acres (5%) – Heavily utilized by migratory waterfowl that visit the Island.
• Freshwater Wetlands: 24 acres (0.3%) – Critical habitat for amphibian populations.
• The remaining 27% of the Island’s area (2,336 acres) is composed primarily of developed land, golf courses, streets and parks. Habitat improvement efforts in
developed areas are also very beneficial to Kiawah’s wildlife.
Kiawah Conservancy Preserved Land
• The Conservancy owns 16 properties, totaling 10.1 acres.
• The Conservancy holds conservation easements on seven properties, totaling 319.6 acres.
2013 Wildlife Data
• Loggerhead turtles: 402 nests documented on Kiawah’s beach – a record year for the Turtle Patrol.
• Alligator population: 409 – indicative of a stable population over the last ten years.
• White-tailed deer population density: 54 / square mile – representing a stable density over the last ten years; Kiawah’s balanced deer population is controlled by
natural predators (primarily bobcats and alligators).
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