Alternative Text Description for Key Deer Consultation Area

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the Key Deer Consultation Area, a designated zone managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the endangered Key deer species. The map shows a single thematic layer representing the geographic boundaries of this consultation area in the Florida Keys. The semi-transparent purple shaded polygon indicates where consultation requirements apply for projects that may affect Key deer habitat.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers a portion of the lower Florida Keys, extending from the southwest to the northeast in a diagonal orientation. Several labeled keys are visible within or near the consultation area, including Big Pine Key (located in the eastern portion), Ramrod Key (in the central area), Cudjoe Key (in the central-western portion), and Bay Point (in the western section). The consultation area covers both water and land features across this island chain. The mapped region represents a relatively small geographic extent focused specifically on the Key deer's critical habitat zone in the lower Keys.

KEY INSIGHTS

The Key Deer Consultation Area forms a single, continuous zone that encompasses multiple islands and the surrounding waters in the lower Florida Keys. The area extends in a southwest-to-northeast diagonal orientation, following the natural alignment of the Keys island chain. The consultation zone covers a substantial marine and terrestrial area that includes several named keys, indicating that Key deer habitat considerations extend beyond individual islands to include the interconnected ecosystem. The boundaries appear to encompass the primary range where Key deer populations occur and where federal consultation is required for development or land management activities.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Key Deer Consultation Area

This layer represents the federally designated consultation area for the endangered Key deer species.

Key Deer Consultation Area (semi-transparent purple polygon)

Appearance:

The consultation area is displayed as a semi-transparent light purple or lavender-colored polygon with solid boundary lines. The shading allows underlying base map features such as island landforms and water bodies to remain visible through the overlay.

Distribution:

The polygon covers a diagonal swath across the map from the southwestern corner extending to the northeastern area, encompassing multiple keys and surrounding waters.

Notable locations:

The consultation area includes Big Pine Key, Ramrod Key, Cudjoe Key, and Bay Point, among other keys. Big Pine Key, located in the eastern portion of the consultation area, is the most prominent labeled feature and represents a key location within the Key deer's range.

Spatial patterns:

The consultation area follows the natural linear arrangement of the Florida Keys island chain, oriented from southwest to northeast. The boundaries encompass both terrestrial island areas and adjacent marine environments, reflecting the interconnected nature of the ecosystem. The area forms a unified zone rather than multiple disconnected patches, suggesting continuous or functionally connected habitat.

Overlapping Patterns

Not applicable; this map displays a single thematic layer without overlapping feature categories.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Key Deer Consultation Area represents a regulatory boundary rather than a physical feature on the landscape. This designation requires project proponents to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Services Office when planning activities within this zone that may impact the endangered Key deer species. Users should contact the appropriate regional Ecological Services Office for current information and consultation requirements, as this species is managed by the South Florida Ecological Services Office. The semi-transparent display allows users to view underlying geographic context while clearly identifying the consultation zone boundaries.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

This data set is maintained by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and represents the officially designated Key Deer Consultation Area as of September 2003. Users are directed to consult the responsible Ecological Services Office websites for current information: South Florida ESO (http://www.fws.gov/verobeach/), North Florida ESO (http://www.fws.gov/northflorida/), and Panama City ESO (http://www.fws.gov/PanamaCity/). Data source layer name: CA_KEY_DEER_SEP03.

Definition Query:

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

Scale Information:

The map displays a regional-scale view appropriate for showing the full extent of the consultation area across multiple keys. The scale allows for identification of individual named keys while showing the complete consultation zone boundaries.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Time Period of Content:

The consultation area data is dated September 2003. Users should verify current boundaries and consultation requirements with the appropriate U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Services Office.

Limitations:

This map represents consultation area boundaries as of September 2003 and may not reflect subsequent updates or modifications. The data is intended for planning and informational purposes, and users should consult with the responsible Fish and Wildlife Service office for current, official consultation requirements. The map does not show actual Key deer locations, population densities, or specific habitat features within the consultation area.

Map Coverage:

The map extent covers a portion of the lower Florida Keys, with the Key Deer Consultation Area polygon visible as the primary feature. Additional keys and water bodies beyond the consultation area boundaries are shown in the surrounding context but fall outside the designated zone.

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