Aerial surveys of manatee distribution in Florida, 1984–2004

Abstract

This Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission–Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWC-FWRI) Technical Report describes and summarizes the FWC-FWRI aerial-survey projects conducted from 1984 to 2004 to document manatee distribution in Florida and it provides details of the methods used in the studies. Surveys reported here were conducted by FWC or in conjunction with other agencies. This report is intended for use by local, state, and federal agencies and others involved in assessing the impacts of human activities on manatees and their habitat. It provides basic summaries of these surveys, their methods, the resulting data, and includes maps showing where manatees were sighted. Aerial survey data (manatee sightings and flight routes) from this technical report are available in a Geographic Information System (GIS) computer mapping format (shapefiles) on the FWC–FMRI Atlas of Marine Resources CD–ROM or on the FWC website. The analyses reported do not address in detail the environmental and habitat factors that may influence aerial surveys. The data and analyses described in this report provide a starting point for researchers who want to further investigate the seasonal distribution and habitat use of manatees in Florida. Other available data sets pertaining to manatee management and protection are also described. The information presented in this document is current to 2004 and does not include projects or surveys conducted after 2004.