The Unified Florida Reef Tract Map (v 1.1) provides a much needed, consistent geospatial framework for management, monitoring, and characterization of the Florida reef tract from Martin County through the Florida Keys to the Dry Tortugas.
Prior to its completion, only an inconsistent patchwork of smaller map pieces had been available. The Unified Reef Map integrates existing sea floor maps and now covers over 9,000 km2of coral reef ecosystems using a consistent classification system. The project was led by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, with major contributions from South Florida counties, the U.S. National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NCCOS, and NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management. Agencies contributed source maps, consulted during map integration, and helped with production of a user’s guide.
Funding was provided by each partner and NOAA’s Coastal Zone Management Program and NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program.
For additional information, contact Steve.Rohmann@noaa.gov or Matt.Kendall@noaa.gov . For map products, see: http://ocean.floridamarine.org/IntegratedReefMap/UnifiedReefTract.htm .