U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Scientific Investigations Map 3166

U.S. Geological Survey Terrestrial, Freshwater and Marine Ecosystem Program

Geospatial Characteristics of Florida’s Coastal and Offshore 

Environments: Distribution of Important Habitats for Coastal 

and Offshore Biological Resources and Offshore Sand 

Resources
Geospatial Characteristics of Florida’s 

Coastal and Offshore Environments: 

Distribution of Important Habitats for Coastal 

and Offshore Biological Resources and 

Offshore Sand Resources

By Amanda W.J. Demopoulos, Ann M. Foster, Michal L. Jones, and Daniel J. Gualtieri

U.S. Geological Survey Terrestrial, Freshwater and Marine Ecosystem Program

Scientific Investigations Map 3166

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Marcia K. McNutt, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2011

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Suggested citation:

Demopoulos, A.W.J., Foster, A.M., Jones, M.L., and Gualtieri, D.J., 2011, Geospatial characteristics of Florida’s 

coastal and offshore environments: distribution of important habitats for coastal and offshore biological 

resources and offshore sand resources: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3166, 11 p.
Geospatial Characteristics of Florida’s Coastal and 

Offshore Environments: Distribution of Important Habitats 

for Coastal and Offshore Biological Resources and 

Offshore Sand Resources

By Amanda W.J. Demopoulos, Ann M. Foster, Michal L. Jones, and Daniel J. Gualtieri

Introduction

The Geospatial Characteristics GeoPDF of Florida’s Coastal and Offshore Environments is a comprehensive collection of 

geospatial data describing the political boundaries and natural resources of Florida. This interactive map provides spatial information on bathymetry, sand resources, and locations of important habitats (for example, Essential Fish Habitats (EFH), nesting 

areas, strandings) for marine invertebrates, fish, reptiles, birds, and marine mammals. 

The map should be useful to coastal resource managers and others interested in marine habitats and submerged obstructions 

of Florida’s coastal region. In particular, as oil and gas explorations continue to expand, the map can be used to explore information regarding sensitive areas and resources in the State of Florida.

Users of this geospatial database will have access to synthesized information in a variety of scientific disciplines concerning Florida’s coastal zone. This powerful tool provides a one-stop assembly of data that can be tailored to fit the needs of many 

natural resource managers.

The map was originally developed to assist the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement 

(BOEMRE) and coastal resources managers with planning beach restoration projects. The BOEMRE uses a systematic approach 

in planning the development of submerged lands of the Continental Shelf seaward of Florida’s territorial waters. Such development could affect the environment. BOEMRE is required to ascertain the existing physical, biological, and socioeconomic 

conditions of the submerged lands and estimate the impact of developing these lands.

Data sources included the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, BOEMRE, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Geographic Data Library, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Natural Areas 

Inventory, and the State of Florida, Bureau of Archeological Research. Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) compliant 

metadata are provided as attached xml files for all geographic information system (GIS) layers.

Acknowledgments

The U.S. Geological Survey Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Marine Ecosystem Program provided funding for this publication. 

The authors express their appreciation to Dr. Daniel K. Odell of the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute for the mammal stranding data. Metadata included within the GeoPDF credit the various data sources used to create the interactive map.

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Readme First: GeoPDF Navigation Information 

In order to ensure full GeoPDF functionality, please download the toolbar found at www.terragotech.com/products/terragotoolbar. The project description is found on page 1. In order to navigate to the map layers please follow the directions below. 

The map legends are found on pages 6, 7, and 8.

Scroll down to the map of Florida located on page 5, then click on the stacked diamonds symbol located on the left hand 

side of the screen (see red circle below).

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To expand the layers, click on the plus (+) sign (see red circle below).

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In order to select layers or make them visible, click on the square located next to each layer. An eye will appear when the 

layer is selected, as shown below (see red circle below).

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