Florida Manatee Synoptic Aerial Survey 1991-2019

Andrea Krzystan

doi:10.15468/bqrpb2

Florida Manatee Synoptic Aerial Survey 1991-2019

Citation

Krzystan, A. 2019. Florida Manatee Synoptic Aerial Survey 1991-2018. Data downloaded from OBIS-SEAMAP (http://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/765) on yyyy-mm-dd. Original source at http://geodata.myfwc.com/datasets/968b88db740d4c1eb9b125e7d94f9b17_0. https://doi.org/10.15468/bqrpb2 accessed via GBIF.org on 2023-05-29.

Description

Original provider: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Dataset credits: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Abstract: The word "synoptic" means presenting a general view of the whole. The current manatee synoptic survey is a count of manatees over a broad area. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) uses these surveys to obtain a general count of manatees statewide. The FWC coordinates an interagency team that conducts the synoptic surveys from one to three times each year (weather permitting). The synoptic surveys are conducted in winter and cover all of the known wintering habitats of manatees in Florida. The survey is conducted to meet Florida state statute 370.12 (4), which requires an annual, impartial, scientific benchmark census of the manatee population. From 1991 through 2011, the counts have been conducted 27 times. These statewide, interagency surveys are currently conducted during the coldest weather of the year (January through March) when manatees move to warm-water sites, such as natural springs, thermal discharges from power and industrial plants, and deep canals. The ideal conditions for the current synoptic survey are cool weather, following a prolonged period of cold weather (usually following multiple cold fronts), low winds, and bright sunshine. Weather conditions and manatee behavior during the survey have a large effect on the synoptic counts. For that reason, the counts are used as indicators of relative abundance within a year and are not suitable for assessing long-term population trends. Counts can vary depending on whether it is warm or cold, sunny or cloudy, calm or windy. Manatees are more easily counted a few days after a cold front when it is slightly warmer, clear, and windless. A warming trend with sunny, windless conditions following cold weather increases the likelihood that manatees will be resting at the water's surface, where observers can easily spot them. Purpose: To obtain a general (minimum) count of manatees statewide. Supplemental information: Prior to July 1, 2004, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) was known as the Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI).
The times are not recorded with this dataset, so 00:00:00 was filled and noted in the [Notes] field. 7/22/2011: This dataset, originally containing data from 1991-2008, was updated to include 2009-2011 data. 01/07/2019: Data up to Jan 2018 were added. The previous contact was replaced with Andrea Krzystan. 04/04/2019: Data up to Feb 2019 were added.

Purpose

To obtain a general (minimum) count of manatees statewide.

Sampling Description

Study Extent

NA

Sampling

NA

Method steps

NA

Additional info

marine, harvested by iOBIS

Taxonomic Coverages

Scientific names are based on the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).

Trichechus manatus latirostris
common name: Florida manatee rank: subspecies

Geographic Coverages

North Atlantic Ocean,Gulf of Mexico

Bibliographic Citations

Contacts

Andrea Krzystan
originator
position: Primary contact
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
email: andrea.krzystan@myfwc.com

OBIS-SEAMAP
metadata author
Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke University
A328 LSRC building
Durham
27708
NC
US
email: seamap-contact@duke.edu
homepage: http://seamap.env.duke.edu

OBIS-SEAMAP
distributor
Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke University
A328 LSRC building
Durham
27708
NC
US
email: seamap-contact@duke.edu
homepage: http://seamap.env.duke.edu

Andrea Krzystan
owner
position: Primary contact
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
email: andrea.krzystan@myfwc.com

Andrea Krzystan
administrative point of contact
position: Primary contact
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
email: andrea.krzystan@myfwc.com