Alternative Text Description for Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit (Endangered)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the geographic range of the Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit, an endangered species, across the Lower Florida Keys. The map shows polygonal boundaries representing areas where this species is understood to occur according to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The shaded areas indicate the habitat distribution of this endangered rabbit species across multiple islands in the southern portion of the Florida Keys archipelago.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map focuses on the Lower Keys region of Florida, showing a chain of islands extending from the southwest. Several labeled locations provide geographic reference points including Key West on the western end, Bay Point, Cudjoe Key, Ramrod Key, and Big Pine Key moving eastward. A small portion of the Florida mainland appears in the far southwestern corner labeled as Key West. The islands are surrounded by water on all sides, with the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast and the Gulf of America to the northwest.

KEY INSIGHTS

The distribution pattern shows that the Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit habitat is concentrated across multiple islands in a roughly linear east-west arrangement following the island chain. The most substantial continuous habitat areas appear on the larger central islands, particularly around Big Pine Key and extending westward through Cudjoe Key and Bay Point. The habitat is fragmented across the archipelago, with numerous smaller isolated patches on various keys. The distribution reflects the island geography of the Lower Keys, with habitat areas corresponding to available land masses rather than showing a continuous range.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit (Endangered) Habitat

This layer represents the geographic boundaries where the endangered Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit species occurs according to USFWS understanding.

Habitat Areas (pink/rose crosshatch pattern)

Appearance:

The habitat areas are shown with a pink or rose-colored crosshatch pattern overlaying the island landmasses.

Distribution:

Habitat patches are distributed across the Lower Keys island chain, appearing on multiple islands from the eastern portion of the mapped area westward to Key West. The pattern follows the natural island geography.

Notable locations:

The largest continuous habitat areas are visible around Big Pine Key, Ramrod Key, and Cudjoe Key in the central portion of the mapped area. Substantial habitat also appears around Bay Point and extends across the western keys toward Key West. Numerous smaller habitat patches are scattered across the smaller keys throughout the region.

Spatial patterns:

The habitat shows a fragmented distribution pattern that corresponds directly to the island geography of the Lower Keys. Larger islands support more extensive habitat areas, while smaller keys contain isolated patches. The overall pattern forms a discontinuous corridor following the island chain from east to west across approximately 30-40 miles of the Lower Keys archipelago.

Overlapping Patterns

No overlapping patterns with other thematic layers are present in this map; it displays a single species habitat layer.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents critical species information for conservation planning and management purposes. The Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit is federally listed as endangered, and this spatial data reflects the USFWS understanding of the species' range within Florida. The habitat distribution shown is inherently limited to the island geography of the Lower Keys, resulting in the naturally fragmented pattern visible across the archipelago. This map focuses exclusively on the species habitat layer and does not display other thematic information or detailed base map features.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

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

Definition Query:

The map displays a filtered subset of a larger species dataset. The filter criteria applied is COMNAME equals 'LOWER KEYS MARSH RABBIT', showing only this specific endangered species rather than all species contained in the source dataset.

Scale Information:

The map shows a regional view of the Lower Keys at a scale appropriate for understanding the overall distribution pattern of the species across the island chain. This scale is suitable for conservation planning and range assessment rather than site-specific habitat evaluation.

Coordinate System:

NAD 1983 HARN Florida GDL Albers (WKID 3087)

Limitations:

The boundaries represent the USFWS understanding of species range and should be interpreted as general distribution areas rather than precise habitat boundaries. Actual occupied habitat within these boundaries may vary based on habitat quality, population dynamics, and site-specific conditions. The polygon boundaries reflect agency knowledge and may not capture all nuances of habitat use or population distribution.

Map Coverage:

The map extent covers the Lower Keys portion of the Florida Keys archipelago, from Key West in the southwest extending eastward to Big Pine Key and beyond. The mapped area includes the primary island chain and surrounding waters, providing geographic context for the species' insular distribution pattern.

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