Alternative Text Description for Ghost Orchid (Proposed Endangered)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the proposed endangered species habitat boundary for the Ghost Orchid in Florida. The map shows a single continuous polygon area representing the geographic range where this species is understood to occur according to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The thematic layer focuses exclusively on the Ghost Orchid distribution, displayed as a large polygonal area covering a substantial portion of southwestern Florida.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The mapped area encompasses a large portion of southwestern Florida, extending from the vicinity of Charlotte Harbor and Cape Coral in the north, southward through Lee and Collier counties to the Naples area and beyond into the southern portions of the Florida peninsula. Several labeled communities appear within or near the boundary, including Cape Coral in the northwestern section, Lehigh Acres in the north-central area, Immokalee in the central portion, Bonita Springs in the west-central section, and Naples along the southwestern coast. The polygon extends eastward from the Gulf of America coastline across inland areas, covering both coastal and interior landscapes of southwestern Florida.

KEY INSIGHTS

The Ghost Orchid habitat forms one large, continuous polygon that spans a substantial east-west and north-south extent across southwestern Florida. The boundary encompasses both coastal zones along the Gulf of America and extensive inland areas, suggesting the species' habitat requirements extend across varied landscape types within this region. The unbroken nature of the polygon indicates the United States Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes this entire area as relevant to the Ghost Orchid's habitat or range, without fragmented or isolated pockets. The coverage area includes multiple population centers and extends well inland from the coast, demonstrating that the proposed endangered species boundary affects a significant geographic area with both developed and undeveloped lands.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Ghost Orchid Habitat Polygon

The thematic layer consists of a single polygonal feature representing the Ghost Orchid habitat boundary.

Ghost Orchid (Proposed Endangered) Habitat Area (pink crosshatch pattern)

Appearance:

The habitat area is depicted with a pink crosshatch or diagonal mesh pattern that provides semi-transparency, allowing underlying base map features to remain partially visible.

Distribution:

The polygon covers a broad swath of southwestern Florida, beginning in the Cape Coral and Charlotte Harbor region and extending southward through Lee and Collier counties. The boundary runs along the Gulf of America coastline on the west and extends eastward into interior Florida, creating a roughly rectangular to irregular-shaped coverage area.

Notable locations:

The habitat area encompasses the communities of Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Immokalee, Bonita Springs, and Naples, as well as extensive areas between and beyond these population centers. The boundary includes both coastal environments along the Gulf of America and significant inland territories.

Spatial patterns:

The habitat forms a single, continuous polygon without internal gaps or separate isolated patches. The western edge generally follows the coastline with some irregularities accounting for coastal geography, while the eastern, northern, and southern boundaries appear to follow ecological or jurisdictional criteria that create a defined limit to the mapped range. The coverage suggests the Ghost Orchid's habitat requirements are met across this large, contiguous region.

Overlapping Patterns

Not applicable. The map displays a single thematic layer without multiple overlapping features.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents a single thematic layer extracted from a broader geographic dataset maintained by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The focus is on the spatial extent of the Ghost Orchid habitat rather than on base map features or infrastructure. The "proposed endangered" designation indicates this species is under consideration for endangered status protection. Users should understand that this polygon represents the species boundary as understood by the federal agency and may encompass areas where the species occurs, historically occurred, or requires habitat protection. The mapped extent does not necessarily indicate uniform presence throughout the entire polygon, but rather defines the geographic scope relevant to species management and conservation planning.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

The data originates from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and represents polygonal boundaries for species as understood by the agency for the State of Florida. The dataset is identified as CR_USFWS_POLY_JUN26.

Definition Query:

The map displays a filtered subset of the source dataset showing only records where the common name equals 'GHOST ORCHID'. This filter isolates the Ghost Orchid from other species that may be included in the broader United States Fish and Wildlife Service species boundary dataset.

Scale Information:

The map scale shows a regional view appropriate for understanding the overall geographic extent of the Ghost Orchid habitat boundary across multiple counties in southwestern Florida. Individual site-level details are not the focus at this scale.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Limitations:

The polygon represents the species boundary as understood by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and may not reflect the precise locations of individual Ghost Orchid occurrences. The boundary likely encompasses suitable habitat, known occurrence areas, and areas relevant to species management rather than confirmed presence at every location within the polygon. Users should consult the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for specific guidance on how this boundary should be interpreted for regulatory or conservation purposes.

Map Coverage:

The map extent includes southwestern Florida from approximately the Cape Coral and Charlotte Harbor area southward through the Naples region and into the southern Florida peninsula, extending from the Gulf of America coast eastward into interior portions of the state. Portions of the Gulf of America, adjacent coastal areas, and inland regions are visible to provide geographic context.

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