Because scrub habitat is naturally uncommon and has been impacted by development and fire suppression, there are a variety of endangered plants and animals that can be found in the scrub habitat. Forty to 60 percent of the species found in scrub are not found in any other habitats. These are called endemic species.

In scrub habitats, there are 22 plant species protected by the State of Florida. Examples of some endangered and endemic scrub plants found in Lyonia Preserve are rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides), scrub holly (Ilex opaca var arenicola), silk bay (Persea humilis), garberia (Garberia heterophylla) and Curtiss'milkweed (Asclepias curtissii).

State and federal rules protect 10 species of animals. They include the sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi), bluetailed mole skink (Eumeces egregius lividus), Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporous woodi), and the Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens). The gopher tortoise (Gopheruspolyphemus), although typically considered a sandhill species, is relatively common in scrub habitats.

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