Alternative Text Description for Carter's Mustard (Endangered) Distribution Map

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the geographic range of Carter's Mustard, an endangered plant species, within the state of Florida. The map shows discrete polygonal areas where this species is understood to occur according to United States Fish and Wildlife Service records. The distribution is concentrated in a specific region of central Florida, with multiple separate habitat areas depicted.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the southeastern United States, with primary focus on the state of Florida and portions of neighboring states including Georgia and South Carolina. Major cities visible on the map include Jacksonville in northern Florida, Orlando in central Florida, Tampa and St. Petersburg on the west coast, West Palm Beach and Fort St. Lucie on the east coast, and Charleston, South Carolina to the north. The Atlantic Ocean appears along the eastern edge, while the western portion shows Florida's Gulf coast. Cities in Georgia including Greenville, Columbia, Augusta, Athens, Savannah, Macon, Warner Robins, Albany, and Valdosta provide geographic reference points for the northern extent of the map.

KEY INSIGHTS

Carter's Mustard habitat is highly localized and confined to a small area of central Florida. The species' range forms a cluster of several distinct polygonal areas in the region between Orlando and Lakeland, with an additional separate area near Palm Bay on Florida's east-central coast. The distribution pattern suggests fragmented habitat, with multiple discrete population areas rather than continuous coverage. The total geographic extent of the species' range is notably small, emphasizing its limited distribution and endangered status. No occurrences are shown outside of this central Florida region, indicating the species is endemic to this specific area.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Carter's Mustard (Endangered) Habitat Areas

This layer represents the known geographic boundaries where Carter's Mustard occurs in Florida.

Carter's Mustard Distribution Polygons (pink with crosshatch pattern)

Appearance:

Pink or light rose-colored polygons filled with a diagonal crosshatch pattern create a distinctive visual texture distinguishing these areas from the light gray base map.

Distribution:

The habitat areas are concentrated in central Florida, forming a cluster of approximately four to five separate polygons in the Orlando-Lakeland corridor, with one additional isolated polygon located near Palm Bay on the Atlantic coast.

Notable locations:

The primary concentration occurs in the region between Orlando to the north and Lakeland to the west, with portions extending toward the Tampa metropolitan area. A separate, distinct habitat area is located approximately 50-70 miles east of the main cluster, near Palm Bay on Florida's east coast.

Spatial patterns:

The distribution shows a fragmented pattern with discrete, non-contiguous habitat polygons. The polygons vary in size, with larger areas in the central cluster and a smaller isolated patch on the coast. This fragmentation pattern is typical of endangered species with specific habitat requirements and suggests limited dispersal or habitat connectivity between populations.

Overlapping Patterns

No overlapping patterns with other thematic layers are present, as this map displays a single species distribution layer over a base map.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents a single thematic layer showing endangered species distribution and should be interpreted as depicting the understood range of Carter's Mustard based on United States Fish and Wildlife Service documentation. The polygonal boundaries represent habitat areas rather than individual plant locations. The limited and fragmented distribution visible on this map reflects the endangered status of this species. Users should note that base map features such as roads, political boundaries, and city locations are shown for geographic reference only and are not part of the thematic content.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

The data is sourced from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and represents species boundaries as understood by that agency for the State of Florida. The dataset contains polygonal boundaries for species distribution. Data source layer name: CR_USFWS_POLY_JUL25

Definition Query:

The map displays a filtered subset of the source data showing only records where COMNAME = 'CARTER'S MUSTARD', isolating this single endangered species from the broader species boundary dataset.

Scale Information:

The map is displayed at a regional scale appropriate for showing the full extent of the species' range within Florida and surrounding states. This scale level is suitable for understanding the overall distribution pattern and geographic context of the species' habitat.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Time Period of Content:

The data source layer name suggests the data is from July 2025 (JUL25), indicating this represents current understanding of the species' distribution as of that date.

Limitations:

The polygonal boundaries represent the understood range of the species as documented by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service but may not reflect real-time population changes or newly discovered occurrences. The boundaries represent habitat areas rather than confirmed presence at every location within each polygon. Data collection methods and survey completeness information are not provided in the available inputs.

Map Coverage:

The map extends from northern Georgia and South Carolina in the north to southern Florida including the Florida Keys in the south, and from Florida's Gulf coast in the west to the Atlantic Ocean in the east. The primary area of interest (Carter's Mustard habitat) is located in central Florida between approximately Orlando and Lakeland, with an additional area near Palm Bay. Surrounding geography is shown for spatial context.

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