Alternative Text Description for FWC Gopher Tortoise Relocation Sites

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the locations of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Gopher Tortoise standard tortoise relocation permit recipient sites across Florida. The map shows a point representation of sites authorized to receive relocated gopher tortoises from development projects. These relocation sites are distributed throughout the state, with varying concentrations in different regions.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the entire state of Florida, from the panhandle region in the northwest, where cities like Dothan, Albany, and Tallahassee are labeled, to the southern tip near Cape Coral. Major cities labeled on the map include Jacksonville on the northeast coast, Gainesville in north-central Florida, Orlando in central Florida, Tampa and St. Petersburg on the west coast, Palm Coast on the east coast, and Melbourne-Palm Bay on the southeast coast. The map also shows portions of southeastern Georgia and Alabama in the northern extent. The Gulf of America borders Florida's western and southern coastlines, while the Atlantic Ocean borders the eastern coast.

KEY INSIGHTS

Gopher tortoise relocation sites show distinct regional clustering patterns across Florida. The highest concentration of sites appears in the southwestern peninsula, particularly around the greater Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota metropolitan corridor and extending southward toward Cape Coral. A secondary concentration exists in the central Florida region between Orlando and the Melbourne-Palm Bay area on the east coast. The northern panhandle and north Florida regions show more dispersed sites with fewer locations. South Florida below Lake Okeechobee has minimal representation of relocation sites. The central peninsula region also demonstrates notable clustering around the Orlando metropolitan area and extending toward both coasts.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

FWC Gopher Tortoise Relocation Sites

This layer represents authorized recipient sites where gopher tortoises may be relocated under standard relocation permits issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

FWC Gopher Tortoise Relocation Sites (circular symbols with bright green centers and black borders)

Appearance:

Each site is represented by a circular symbol with a bright green or lime-green center surrounded by a black border, creating a high-contrast point marker easily distinguishable against the gray base map.

Distribution:

Sites are distributed throughout Florida with significant variation in density. The southwestern coastal region between Tampa and Cape Coral contains the highest density of sites. The central Florida corridor between Orlando and the Gulf of America coast also shows substantial site presence. The northern panhandle and Big Bend region display scattered sites with lower density. Coastal areas generally show more relocation sites than interior regions.

Notable locations:

The Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan area and surrounding counties contain a dense cluster of relocation sites. Another significant cluster appears in the Orlando metropolitan area and central Florida region. The area between Gainesville and Jacksonville shows moderate site presence. The Florida panhandle west of Tallahassee shows relatively few sites. The southeastern coastal region near Palm Coast and Melbourne-Palm Bay shows moderate clustering.

Spatial patterns:

Sites tend to cluster around major metropolitan areas and their surrounding regions, suggesting correlation with development pressure and consequent need for tortoise relocation. Multiple sites often appear in close proximity to one another, indicating areas with multiple authorized recipient properties. The pattern suggests a concentration of relocation activity in regions experiencing significant land development, particularly along both coasts and in central Florida. The relative scarcity of sites in south Florida and the extreme northern panhandle indicates either lower development pressure or different habitat conditions in those regions.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents sites authorized under the standard tortoise relocation permit program, which applies to development projects requiring relocation of more than five tortoises on-site or any number of tortoises off-site. The permit program addresses conservation needs when development activities impact gopher tortoise habitat. Off-site relocation may require testing tortoises for Upper Respiratory Tract Disease (URTD) at the discretion of the recipient site landowner. The spatial distribution of these sites reflects both the availability of suitable recipient properties and the geographic distribution of development pressure affecting gopher tortoise populations throughout Florida.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

The data is sourced from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's gopher tortoise standard relocation permit program records. This dataset represents recipient sites authorized to accept relocated gopher tortoises under the permitting framework. Data source layer name: GOPHER_TORTOISE_MAY25.

Definition Query:

No definition query or filter criteria was provided for this map view.

Scale Information:

The map shows a statewide view of Florida, displaying all authorized relocation sites at a scale appropriate for understanding broad geographic distribution patterns and regional concentrations across the state.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087).

Time Period of Content:

The data source layer name indicates content as of May 25, though the specific year is not provided in the available information.

Limitations:

The map shows only standard relocation permit recipient sites and does not represent all gopher tortoise populations, habitat areas, or other types of conservation management sites. The dataset reflects permitted recipient sites and may not include all active or historical relocation activities. The temporal currency of individual site authorizations is not indicated on the map.

Map Coverage:

The map extent covers the entire state of Florida from the western panhandle to the southern tip, with portions of adjacent states (Georgia and Alabama) visible in the northern extent for geographic context.

The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.