Background:
Precise mapping of benthic habitats is essential for developing management strategies that balance the protection of these habitats with their use. Accurate maps of these areas enable resource managers to make informed decisions about the use and protection of the resources.
Introduction
Information Content
Products
Introduction
1998 Benthic Habitats of the Florida Keys Atlas
Benthic habitats are places on or near the sea floor where aquatic organisms live. These beds of seagrass, areas of mud and sand, and coral reefs provide food and shelter to a rich array of animals. Together, they form the Florida Keys benthic habitat ecosystem.
The preservation of this ecosystem, especially its
coral reefs, is a National priority. This ecosystem is an attractive environment
for many recreational, commercial and scientific activities, and is critical
to the tourist economy of South Florida.
Information Content
The benthic habitats of the Florida Keys were mapped
from a series of 450 aerial photographs. Ecologists outlined the boundaries
of specific habitat types by interpreting color patterns on the photographs.
Benthic habitats were classified into four major categories-corals, seagrasses,
hardbottom, and bare substrate-and 24 subcategories, such as sparse seagrass
and patch reef. Habitat boundaries were georeferenced and digitized to create
computer maps. These digital data were then incorporated into a geographic
information system for direct electronic mapping.
A Series of Products
The Benthic Habitats of the Florida Keys Atlas is a major product of the benthic habitats mapping project. It contains 32 full-color plates showing the distribution of benthic habitats in the Florida Keys, accompanied by descriptions of bottom habitats. The Atlas, released in 1998 and revised in 2000, also includes extended descriptions of the physical environments, human activities, and environmental concerns of the Florida Keys ecosystem.
Maps and and other data available elsewhere on this website enable a user to select and view the maps and portray different information on them using a GIS. An area of interest may be selected either from a list or by drawing a box on the screen using the cursor. Users may then overlay their own geographic data on the maps.
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