Alternative Text Description for Ranchlands (Parcel Based)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the spatial distribution of potential ranchlands across Florida, represented as parcel-based data. The map identifies land parcels that meet specific criteria for grazing land and improved or unimproved pasture, providing a comprehensive view of ranching activities and suitable ranch properties throughout the state. The visualization shows where ranching land uses are concentrated and dispersed across Florida's diverse landscape.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map encompasses the entire state of Florida, extending from the northern border with Georgia and Alabama southward to the Florida Keys. Major cities labeled on the map include Pensacola in the northwest, Tallahassee in the north-central region, Jacksonville in the northeast, Gainesville in north-central Florida, Orlando in the central region, Tampa and St. Petersburg on the west coast, Palm Coast on the east coast, Cape Coral and Fort Myers in southwest Florida, and Miami in the southeast. The map also shows portions of neighboring states including Montgomery, Columbus, Dothan, and Albany to the north, and Savannah to the northeast. The Gulf of America borders Florida to the west, while the Atlantic Ocean lies to the east. Coastal features and the distinctive peninsula shape of Florida are clearly visible.

KEY INSIGHTS

Ranchlands in Florida show a pronounced concentration in the central and south-central portions of the state, with the densest clustering appearing in a corridor extending from the Orlando area southward through the interior toward the Lake Okeechobee region and Fort Myers area. The eastern coastal region from Melbourne to Palm Bay also displays substantial ranching activity. The northern panhandle shows a more scattered distribution of ranch parcels, while the southern tip of Florida and the Keys have minimal ranching presence. Urban areas and immediate coastal zones generally show gaps in ranching activity, creating a pattern where ranchlands dominate the interior and rural regions of the peninsula. A notable linear concentration appears along Florida's central ridge, suggesting a relationship between topography and ranching suitability.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Ranchlands (Parcel Based)

This layer represents individual parcels of land identified as potential ranchlands based on land use classification and soil capability criteria.

Ranchland Parcels (orange fill)

Appearance:

The parcels are displayed in solid orange color, ranging from small scattered dots to large consolidated areas. The orange symbology appears in varying densities, from isolated individual parcels to dense clusters where parcels merge into continuous zones.

Distribution:

Ranchland parcels are distributed throughout Florida with significant variation in density. The heaviest concentrations occur in the central peninsula, particularly around the Orlando-Lakeland-Tampa triangle and extending southward. Moderate concentrations appear in the northern counties and the panhandle region. Coastal areas and the extreme southern tip show minimal ranching presence.

Notable locations:

The most extensive continuous ranchland area occupies the region between Orlando and Fort Myers, with particularly dense coverage around Lakeland. The Melbourne-Palm Bay area on the east coast shows a substantial cluster. In north Florida, the area south of Tallahassee displays moderate ranching activity. The Gainesville region shows scattered but consistent ranch parcel presence.

Spatial patterns:

Ranchlands form a distinct north-south corridor through Florida's interior, avoiding major metropolitan areas and immediate coastal zones. Parcels tend to cluster in rural areas away from urban centers, creating a pattern of agricultural land use that follows the state's central ridge and interior flatlands. The distribution suggests avoidance of both wetland-dominated areas and highly developed urban corridors.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents a thematic analysis layer showing potential ranching land rather than a complete inventory of all active ranch operations. The parcels displayed meet specific criteria based on land use classification and soil capability, but may include some properties not currently used for ranching. The parcel boundaries have been dissolved in the final version, so individual property lines are not visible where parcels are adjacent. The map is most useful for understanding regional patterns of ranching potential and concentration rather than identifying specific property boundaries. Urban areas and developed lands are not included in this analysis, even if they historically served agricultural purposes.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

This data layer was created by the University of Florida Center for Landscape Conservation Planning through a multi-step analysis process. The creation involved selecting parcels from the Florida Geographic Data Library's PARCELS_2023 shapefile classified as Grazing Land with Soil Capability Classes I to VI, as well as parcels designated as Improved Agriculture or Acreage Not Zoned Agriculture that overlapped with Improved Pasture or Unimproved Woodland Pasture areas from the Cooperative Land Cover v. 3.8 shapefile (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). These subsets were merged and dissolved to create the final layer.

Data source layer name: CLCP_RANCHLANDS_FEB25

Definition Query:

No definition query or filter criteria was applied to this layer.

Scale Information:

The map displays statewide coverage at a scale appropriate for regional analysis and planning. This scale is suitable for understanding broad patterns of ranchland distribution across Florida but may not show fine-grained details of individual small parcels.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Time Period of Content:

The data is based on 2023 parcel information (PARCELS_2023) and Cooperative Land Cover version 3.8. The layer was created in February 2025 (indicated by the FEB25 designation in the data source name).

Limitations:

This layer represents potential ranchlands based on land use classification and soil capability criteria rather than a verified inventory of active ranching operations. Some parcels may no longer be used for ranching, while some active ranch operations may not meet the specific criteria used in this analysis. The accuracy depends on the currency and completeness of the source parcel data and land cover classification. Areas with cloud cover or classification uncertainty in the source land cover data may affect the completeness of the analysis.

Map Coverage:

The map covers the entire state of Florida from the northern border with Georgia and Alabama to the southernmost keys. Portions of neighboring states are shown for geographic context, including southern Georgia and Alabama. The Gulf of America coastline is shown to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean coastline to the east.

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