Name: Duval, Clay and St. Johns counties 1993-1994 Manatee Distribution Survey Theoretical Flight Path
Display Field: Id
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolyline
Description: Aerial distribution surveys are used by marine mammal biologists from FWC and other agencies to determine the seasonal distribution of manatees. Most surveys are conducted from small, four-seat, high-winged airplanes (Cessna 172 or 182) flying at a height of 500-1000 ft at a speed of 70-90 kts. Small helicopters may be used instead of fixed wing aircraft in urban areas or where waters are particularly opaque and hovering may be required. Surveys are flown along a standardized, theoretical flight route, which was designed to cover all likely manatee habitats in the study area. This "theoretical flight path" indicates the area that was covered during each survey, but it may not be the actual flight route flown on every survey. GPS tracklines recorded during surveys may be available for some flights. The survey area includes the western half of Duval County, with emphasis on the many tributaries of the St. Johns River. It extended south into St. Johns and Clay counties to Black Creek. The survey route included the Trout, Ribault, Arlington, Ceder, and Ortega rivers; Pottsburg, Black, Durbin, and Julington creeks; Doctor’s lake and portions of the St. Johns River between tributaries from the Trout River to Green Cove Springs.
Service Item Id: a1e754c3c965470f9a9ae6c87aba1402
Copyright Text: The flight path was developed and digitized by FWC staff.