Name: Ten Thousand Islands 1991-1993 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 is part of the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Collier-Seminole State Park, Cape Romano-Ten Thousand Islands State Aquatic Preserve and Everglades National Park. There are only two towns withing the Ten Thousand Islands: Everglades City and Chokoloskee. The area is a complex landscape of numerous mangrove islands, oyster bars and sand spits separated by tidal creeks and passes. Most of the area is estaurine, with strong tidal influence and freshwater input from numerous creeks and drainage canals.
Service Item Id: b29434eecdb5422495cdae56a732c07c
Copyright Text: The flight path was developed and digitized by FWC staff.