Alternative Text Description for Gulf Moccasinshell (Endangered) Species Boundary Map

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the geographic distribution of the Gulf Moccasinshell, an endangered species, as defined by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service within the State of Florida. The map shows polygonal boundaries representing areas where this species is understood to occur. The map focuses specifically on the northwest Florida panhandle region and portions of the Gulf coast, with shaded areas indicating the species boundary zones.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers northwest Florida and portions of the adjacent Florida panhandle extending along the Gulf of America coast. Major cities and towns visible on the map include Malone, Marianna, Alford, Graceville, Chipley, Sneads, Blountstown, Clarksville, Fountain, Youngstown, Wewahitchka, Mexico Beach, Donalsonville, Bainbridge, Greensboro, Quincy, Gretna, Hosford, and Carrabelle.

The map extends from the Alabama-Florida border on the west to areas near Bainbridge, Georgia in the north and eastward to portions of Liberty County. The southern extent reaches the Gulf of America coastline. Notable geographic features shown include the Apalachicola National Forest, Apalachicola River and Bluffs Environmental Area, Torreya State Park, and Tate's Hell State Forest. County boundaries are visible throughout the mapped area.

KEY INSIGHTS

The Gulf Moccasinshell endangered species boundary forms a distinct north-south corridor through the northwest Florida panhandle region. The species boundary extends in a relatively continuous pattern from the northern border area near Malone and Donalsonville southward through Jackson, Calhoun, and Gulf counties, reaching the Gulf of America coastline near Mexico Beach and Wewahitchka.

A smaller, separate boundary area appears in the eastern portion of the map near Bainbridge and Decatur County, Georgia. The species boundaries appear to follow drainage patterns and river systems, suggesting an association with aquatic habitats. The largest continuous boundary zone occurs in the western-central portion of the mapped area, encompassing communities including Marianna, Alford, Fountain, and Clarksville.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Gulf Moccasinshell (Endangered) Species Boundary

The map depicts polygonal boundary areas representing the distribution of the Gulf Moccasinshell endangered species as understood by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Species Boundary Polygons (pink crosshatch pattern)

Appearance:

The species boundaries are shown as areas filled with a pink crosshatch or diagonal line pattern overlaying the base map.

Distribution:

The primary distribution area forms a major north-south corridor through the western-central portion of the mapped region. A secondary smaller polygon appears in the northeastern section of the map. Additional small isolated polygons appear in the southwestern portion near the Gulf coast.

Notable locations:

The largest continuous boundary extends from north of Malone and Marianna southward through Alford, Fountain, Clarksville, and Wewahitchka to the coastal area near Mexico Beach. The eastern polygon boundary is located near Bainbridge. A western boundary area appears near Graceville. Small coastal boundary areas appear near the Apalachicola River and Bluffs Environmental Area.

Spatial patterns:

The species boundaries form elongated north-south oriented polygons that appear to follow river valleys and drainage systems. The boundaries show a linear arrangement suggesting association with specific waterway corridors. The largest polygon demonstrates continuity across multiple counties, while smaller polygons appear isolated from the main distribution area.

Overlapping Patterns

The species boundary polygons overlay county boundaries, municipal areas, protected lands including Apalachicola National Forest, and Gulf of America coastal zones, indicating that the species distribution crosses multiple jurisdictional and ecological boundaries.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents a single thematic layer showing species distribution boundaries. The Gulf Moccasinshell is designated as an endangered species under federal jurisdiction. The polygonal boundaries represent the geographic understanding of species occurrence by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service specific to Florida.

The map shows both the primary continuous distribution area and several smaller isolated boundary zones. The species boundaries are displayed at a regional scale appropriate for understanding broad distribution patterns rather than site-specific occurrences. Base map features including cities, roads, and protected areas are shown to provide geographic context for interpreting the species distribution.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

United States Fish and Wildlife Service species boundary data for the State of Florida. The dataset contains polygonal boundaries for species as understood by the Service.

Definition Query:

The map displays a filtered subset of the species data. The filtering criteria applied is CR_USFWS_POLY_JUN26COMNAME = 'GULF MOCCASINSHELL', which limits the display to only those polygon boundaries representing the Gulf Moccasinshell species.

Scale Information:

The map is displayed at a regional scale showing multiple counties across northwest Florida and portions of adjacent states. This scale is appropriate for understanding the broad geographic distribution of the species across the landscape and identifying major distribution corridors.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Limitations:

The boundaries represent the species distribution as understood by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and may not reflect the exact current extent of occupied habitat. The polygon boundaries represent generalized distribution areas rather than precise locations of individual occurrences. Areas outside the displayed boundaries may not be mapped or may fall outside the dataset's geographic scope.

Map Coverage:

The map covers northwest Florida from the Alabama border eastward to approximately the Apalachicola River region, extending northward into portions of southern Georgia and southward to the Gulf of America coastline. The exact geographic extent includes portions of Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Liberty, Gadsden, and surrounding counties in Florida, as well as portions of Seminole and Decatur counties in Georgia.

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