Alternative Text Description for Lakela's Mint (Endangered) Species Distribution

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map shows the distribution of Lakela's Mint, an endangered plant species, along Florida's east coast. The map displays polygonal boundaries representing habitat areas where this species is understood to occur according to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The distribution pattern reveals a linear arrangement of habitat patches following the coastal barrier islands and adjacent mainland areas.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers a portion of Florida's east coast spanning from Sebastian in the north to Hobe Sound in the south, encompassing parts of Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin counties. Notable locations visible on the map include Sebastian, Indian River Shores, Florida Ridge, Lakewood Park, Savannah-Treasure Coast Park, Port St. Lucie, Hutchinson Island South, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Port Salerno, Indiantown, and Hobe Sound. The Atlantic Ocean forms the eastern boundary, while the Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area appears in the southwestern portion of the map. Major water features include the Indian River (a lagoon system) running parallel to the coast.

KEY INSIGHTS

Lakela's Mint habitat occurs in distinct, discontinuous patches distributed along approximately 100 miles of Florida's east coast. The distribution shows a strong coastal orientation, with most habitat areas concentrated along the barrier island system and adjacent mainland coastal areas. There are three primary concentrations: a northern cluster near Sebastian and Indian River Shores, a central concentration around Port St. Lucie and Hutchinson Island South, and a southern cluster near Hobe Sound and Port Salerno. The habitat patches vary considerably in size, with some extending several miles in length while others represent smaller, isolated occurrences. Notable gaps in distribution occur between these major concentration areas, particularly in the vicinity of Jensen Beach and Stuart.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Lakela's Mint (Endangered) Habitat Areas

This layer represents the known distribution of Lakela's Mint habitat in Florida as documented by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Lakela's Mint Habitat Polygons (pink/magenta polygons with crosshatch pattern)

Appearance:

Light pink to magenta colored polygonal shapes with a distinctive crosshatch or diagonal line pattern filling the areas.

Distribution:

Habitat patches occur predominantly along the coastal barrier island system and adjacent mainland areas, following a general north-south alignment parallel to the Atlantic coastline.

Notable locations:

Spatial patterns:

The habitat exhibits a fragmented, linear distribution pattern following the coastal geography. Individual patches tend to be elongated in a north-south orientation, suggesting the species' habitat requirements are closely tied to coastal environmental conditions. The largest continuous patches occur in the northern section near Sebastian, while the southern occurrences appear more fragmented. Most habitat areas are located within a few miles of the Atlantic coast, with very limited inland penetration except in the central portion of the map where some patches extend westward near Port St. Lucie.

Overlapping Patterns

The habitat distribution intersects with multiple developed communities including Sebastian, Indian River Shores, Port St. Lucie, and Hobe Sound, indicating that Lakela's Mint habitat occurs in proximity to urban and suburban areas. The relationship between habitat patches and the barrier island system is particularly evident, with most occurrences aligned along this coastal feature.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map focuses exclusively on the distribution of a single endangered species and does not display other ecological or conservation data layers. The habitat boundaries represent areas where the species is understood to occur based on United States Fish and Wildlife Service documentation for Florida. The polygonal representation indicates broader habitat areas rather than precise individual plant locations. The coastal concentration of habitat suggests that Lakela's Mint is a species adapted to specific coastal ecological conditions found along Florida's Atlantic barrier island system.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

United States Fish and Wildlife Service species distribution data for the State of Florida. The dataset contains polygonal boundaries representing species habitat areas as documented by federal wildlife authorities.

Definition Query:

The map displays a filtered subset of a larger species database, showing only records where the common name equals "Lakela's Mint" (CR_USFWS_POLY_JUN26COMNAME = 'LAKELA''S MINT').

Scale Information:

The map scale shows a regional view covering approximately 100 miles of Florida's east coast, appropriate for understanding the overall distribution pattern of the species across multiple counties. This scale level reveals both the general coastal orientation of habitat and the fragmented nature of the distribution.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Limitations:

The habitat boundaries represent documented areas where the species is understood to occur and may not reflect complete survey coverage of all potential habitat. The polygonal boundaries indicate general habitat areas rather than precise population locations or density information. Actual species presence may vary within the mapped polygons based on microhabitat conditions, and suitable habitat may exist outside the mapped areas if not yet documented.

Map Coverage:

The map extends from approximately Sebastian in Indian River County southward to Hobe Sound in Martin County, covering portions of Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin counties along Florida's Atlantic coast. The western extent includes portions of inland areas including St. Lucie and parts of the Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area.

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