Alternative Text Description for Southern Sandshell (Threatened) Distribution Map

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the geographic distribution of the Southern Sandshell, a threatened species, across the southeastern United States. The map shows the species' range extending from Georgia and South Carolina southward through Florida, as defined by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This thematic layer depicts the areas where this threatened species is known to occur or has habitat, providing critical information for conservation and management purposes.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the southeastern United States, with primary coverage spanning Georgia, South Carolina, and the entire state of Florida. Major cities labeled on the map include Atlanta in Georgia; Columbia, Greenville, and Charleston in South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Jacksonville, Florida (appearing twice—once in Florida and once in northern Florida/southern Georgia); and Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Cape Coral, West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, Coral Springs, and Freeport in Florida. The Atlantic Ocean appears along the entire eastern edge of the mapped area, while the Gulf of America is visible along Florida's western coast. The map extends from Athens, Georgia, and the Macon-Warner Robins area in the west to the Atlantic coast in the east, and from Jacksonville and Wilmington in the north to the Florida Keys and Abaco in the south.

KEY INSIGHTS

The Southern Sandshell distribution shows a distinct linear pattern following the Atlantic coastal plain and Florida peninsula. The species' range forms a relatively narrow corridor extending southward from Georgia and South Carolina through eastern Florida. The distribution is notably concentrated along coastal areas and the Florida peninsula, suggesting a strong association with coastal plain aquatic habitats. There is minimal inland penetration in Georgia and South Carolina, with the range remaining largely confined to the eastern portions of these states. In Florida, the distribution widens to encompass much of the peninsula, extending from the northern border southward along both coasts and through central regions toward the southern tip of the state.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Southern Sandshell (Threatened) Distribution

This layer represents the geographic range of the Southern Sandshell, a threatened species tracked by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Southern Sandshell Range Areas (light purple/lavender with diagonal line pattern)

Appearance:

The species range is depicted using a light purple or lavender color with a diagonal hatching or cross-hatch pattern overlay, creating a distinctive shaded texture.

Distribution:

The range areas appear along the Atlantic coastal regions of Georgia and South Carolina, extending southward through the entire Florida peninsula. The distribution follows a generally north-south orientation along the southeastern coastal plain.

Notable locations:

Significant range areas include the coastal regions near Savannah, Georgia; Charleston, South Carolina; Jacksonville, Florida; and extensive areas throughout the Florida peninsula including regions near Orlando, Tampa, Cape Coral, West Palm Beach, and extending toward the southern tip of Florida near Freeport and the Keys.

Spatial patterns:

The distribution forms a continuous corridor along the Atlantic coast from South Carolina through Georgia and into Florida. In Florida, the range expands to cover a broader area encompassing much of the peninsula. The pattern suggests a strong association with coastal plain environments and river systems draining to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of America. The linear coastal orientation indicates the species' habitat requirements are met in these low-elevation, water-rich environments.

Overlapping Patterns

No overlapping patterns are present as this map displays a single thematic layer showing species distribution boundaries.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents a single thematic layer extracted from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service species database for Florida. The boundaries shown represent the species' understood range rather than individual occurrence points, meaning the Southern Sandshell may not be present at every location within the shaded areas but these regions encompass the species' known habitat and distribution. Base map features such as city labels and state boundaries are included for geographic reference only. The "Threatened" designation indicates this species has legal protection under endangered species regulations. This map should be interpreted as showing the general distribution pattern rather than precise population boundaries, as species ranges can be dynamic and influenced by habitat availability, water quality, and other environmental factors.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

The data is sourced from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's species database for the State of Florida. This dataset contains polygonal boundaries representing species distributions as understood and documented by the federal agency responsible for threatened and endangered species management. The source layer is CR_USFWS_POLY_JUL25, indicating the data was compiled or updated in July 2025.

Definition Query:

The map displays a filtered subset of the complete species database, showing only records where the common name equals 'SOUTHERN SANDSHELL'. This filter isolates the distribution data for this single threatened species from the broader multi-species dataset.

Scale Information:

The map scale is appropriate for regional planning and species range visualization, covering multiple states across the southeastern United States. This scale is suitable for understanding broad distribution patterns and general habitat areas rather than site-specific occurrence information.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Time Period of Content:

The dataset identifier indicates a July 2025 compilation date. The temporal validity of the underlying species occurrence and range data may vary, as species distribution information is typically compiled from multiple sources over extended time periods.

Limitations:

The polygonal boundaries represent generalized species ranges rather than confirmed presence at every location within the shaded areas. Actual species occurrence may be discontinuous within these boundaries and dependent on specific habitat conditions. The data reflects the understanding of species distribution as of the dataset compilation date and may not capture recent range changes or newly documented populations. Southern Sandshell populations may be limited to specific aquatic habitats within the broader range boundaries shown.

Map Coverage:

The map extends from northern Georgia and South Carolina southward through the entire Florida peninsula and into the Florida Keys. Coverage includes portions of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of America for geographic context. The western extent reaches Athens, Georgia, and the Macon-Warner Robins area, while the eastern extent includes coastal waters. The northern boundary is near Wilmington, North Carolina, and Greenville, South Carolina, and the southern boundary extends to the Florida Keys and portions of the Bahamas including Abaco.

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