# Alternative Text Description for Tiny Polygala (Endangered) ## TABLE OF CONTENTS - Map Overview - Geographic Context - Key Insights - Visual Elements - Symbol Guide - Additional Information - Data Context ## MAP OVERVIEW This map displays the geographic range of Tiny Polygala, an endangered plant species, within the State of Florida as designated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The map shows the areas where this species is understood to exist through polygonal boundary delineation. The primary purpose is to communicate the spatial distribution of this endangered species' habitat across Florida's eastern coastal region. ## GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT The map focuses on eastern Florida, extending from Port St. Lucie in the north to Homestead in the south. Major cities visible include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Davie, Coral Springs, Hialeah, Kendall, and Jupiter. The geographic coverage includes portions of Lake Okeechobee in the western portion of the map. The map extends westward to include Immokalee and shows portions of the Gulf of America coastline in the southwest, as well as the Atlantic Ocean coastline along the eastern edge. The Florida Keys are partially visible in the southern portion of the map. ## KEY INSIGHTS The Tiny Polygala habitat forms a large, continuous zone covering much of southeastern Florida's interior and coastal areas. The species range extends in a broad north-south corridor along Florida's east coast, encompassing both urban and rural areas from the Port St. Lucie region southward through the Miami metropolitan area to Homestead. The habitat coverage appears most extensive in the central and southern portions of the mapped area, with the widest east-west extent occurring in the middle sections around the Lake Okeechobee region. The distribution suggests this endangered species occupies a substantial geographic range within southeastern Florida, though the pattern indicates concentrated presence in specific regional zones rather than statewide distribution. ## VISUAL ELEMENTS ### Tiny Polygala (Endangered) Habitat Range This layer represents the polygonal boundaries defining where the endangered Tiny Polygala species exists within Florida according to United States Fish and Wildlife Service designations. ### Endangered Species Habitat Area (pink crosshatch pattern) **Appearance:** The habitat is shown as a semi-transparent pink area with a diagonal crosshatch or grid pattern overlay. The pink shading has moderate opacity, allowing underlying base map features to remain partially visible. **Distribution:** The habitat area extends continuously through southeastern Florida, beginning north of Lake Okeechobee and extending southward along the eastern portion of the state. The distribution covers both inland and coastal zones, reaching from the Atlantic coastline westward to include portions of central Florida. **Notable locations:** Major concentrations occur throughout the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County areas, encompassing metropolitan regions including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and surrounding communities. The habitat extends through the Everglades region and reaches southward to Homestead. **Spatial patterns:** The habitat forms a relatively continuous zone rather than fragmented patches, suggesting either broad species tolerance or connected suitable habitat conditions across this region. The boundary extends inland from the coast, creating a wide corridor. The northern extent near Port St. Lucie and Jupiter represents the northernmost edge of the mapped habitat, while the southern extent terminates near Homestead. The western boundary shows some variation, with the habitat reaching furthest west in the central portions of the mapped area. ### Overlapping Patterns The endangered species habitat overlaps extensively with urbanized areas throughout southeastern Florida, indicating the species range coincides with heavily developed regions including major metropolitan centers and suburban communities. ## SYMBOL GUIDE - **Pink area with diagonal crosshatch pattern:** Represents the geographic boundaries where the endangered Tiny Polygala species exists within Florida according to United States Fish and Wildlife Service designations ## ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This map represents a single thematic layer showing endangered species habitat boundaries rather than a comprehensive environmental or ecological map. The layer has been filtered to display only the Tiny Polygala species from what may be a larger dataset containing multiple species. Base map features such as city labels and water bodies are shown for geographic reference but are not the focus of this thematic layer. The map serves regulatory and conservation planning purposes by identifying where this endangered plant species is found within the state. ## DATA CONTEXT **Data Source:** The data is maintained by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the State of Florida and represents the agency's understanding of species boundaries for the Tiny Polygala. **Definition Query:** The map displays only features where the common name equals "Tiny Polygala" (CR_USFWS_POLY_JUN26COMNAME = 'TINY POLYGALA'), filtering from a broader dataset that likely contains multiple species designations. **Scale Information:** The map shows a regional-scale view appropriate for understanding the overall geographic range of the species across southeastern Florida. This scale is suitable for conservation planning and regulatory overview rather than site-specific habitat assessment. **Coordinate System:** NAD 1983 HARN Florida GDL Albers (WKID 3087) **Limitations:** The boundaries represent the species range as understood by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and may not indicate uniform presence throughout the entire mapped area. Actual species occurrence may vary at finer scales within these boundaries. The data represents species understanding at the time of the dataset designation and should be verified with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for current regulatory applications. **Map Coverage:** The map covers southeastern Florida from approximately Port St. Lucie in the north to Homestead in the south, and from the Atlantic coast westward to include Immokalee and portions of Lake Okeechobee, providing regional context for the endangered species habitat distribution. --- The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.