Alternative Text Description for Harper's Beauty (Endangered) Species Distribution Map

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the geographic distribution of Harper's Beauty, an endangered species, within Florida as designated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The map shows polygonal boundaries representing areas where this species is understood to occur. The distribution is depicted using a pink crosshatch pattern overlaying a base map of the Florida panhandle and surrounding regions.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the Florida panhandle region and extends into portions of neighboring states. Major cities and communities visible on the map include Youngstown, Fountain, Clarksville, Blountstown, Hosford, Wewahitchka, Mexico Beach, and Eastpoint in Florida. The map also shows portions of Calhoun and Liberty counties. Natural features include waterways and the Gulf of America coastline along the southern portion of the map. Protected areas labeled on the map include wildlife refuges and management areas, including the Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area and the St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge.

KEY INSIGHTS

Harper's Beauty distribution is concentrated in the eastern portion of the mapped area, specifically in and around Liberty County. A large, contiguous habitat area is visible in the eastern-central region, with the densest concentration appearing between the communities of Sumatra and the Apalachicola National Forest and Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area. Smaller, isolated patches of habitat appear in the northwestern portion of the map and near the western edge. The distribution pattern suggests the species is found in specific inland habitat types, with no presence near the immediate coastal areas or in the western panhandle regions.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Harper's Beauty (Endangered) Distribution

This layer represents the known geographic range of Harper's Beauty as designated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Primary Eastern Distribution Area (pink crosshatch pattern)

Appearance: Pink crosshatch pattern consisting of diagonal lines creating a mesh or grid appearance

Distribution: The largest concentration appears in the eastern-central portion of the map, primarily within Liberty County and extending into areas labeled as Apalachicola National Forest and Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area

Notable locations: The most substantial continuous area is centered around the community of Sumatra and extends throughout much of the surrounding region in Liberty County

Spatial patterns: This eastern distribution forms a large, irregular polygon covering a significant contiguous area. The boundaries are irregular, suggesting natural habitat constraints or specific ecological requirements. The distribution extends both north and south within the region but does not reach the Gulf of America coast.

Western Isolated Patches (pink crosshatch pattern)

Appearance: Pink crosshatch pattern identical to the eastern distribution, consisting of diagonal lines creating a mesh or grid appearance

Distribution: Small, isolated patches appear in the northwestern portion of the mapped area, separated from the main eastern distribution by significant distance

Notable locations: These isolated areas appear west of Youngstown in the northwestern corner of the map

Spatial patterns: These patches are small and discontinuous, representing isolated populations or habitat fragments separated from the primary range. The fragmented nature suggests potential habitat isolation or distinct population segments.

Overlapping Patterns

The Harper's Beauty distribution overlaps with labeled protected areas including the Apalachicola National Forest and Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area, suggesting the species may receive habitat protection within these managed lands.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents the official understanding of Harper's Beauty distribution by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service specifically for the State of Florida. The polygonal boundaries indicate areas where the species is known or believed to occur based on available information. The concentration in Liberty County and surrounding areas suggests specific habitat requirements that are met in this region. Protected land designations visible on the map may provide important conservation benefits for this endangered species.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source: The dataset contains polygonal boundaries for species as understood by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the State of Florida. The data represents official federal understanding of species distribution for conservation and management purposes.

Definition Query: The map displays data filtered to show only Harper's Beauty species. The filtering criteria used is COMNAME equals "HARPER'S BEAUTY" from the dataset CR_USFWS_POLY_JUN26.

Scale Information: The map scale shows regional-level detail appropriate for understanding broad distribution patterns across multiple counties in the Florida panhandle. Individual habitat features or site-specific details are not visible at this scale.

Coordinate System: NAD 1983 HARN Florida GDL Albers (WKID 3087)

Limitations: Species distribution boundaries represent the understood range based on available data and may not reflect all occupied habitat or recent range changes. Actual species presence within the polygonal boundaries may vary based on habitat quality, population dynamics, and survey effort. Areas outside the mapped boundaries do not necessarily indicate species absence, and areas within boundaries do not guarantee species presence at all locations.

Map Coverage: The map covers the Florida panhandle region including portions of the Gulf of America coast, extending from the western panhandle eastward through Liberty County and surrounding areas. Small portions of neighboring states are visible at the map edges for geographic context.

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