Description: Dataset incorporates species locations and depicts species richness across the state of Florida by several governmental and non-governmental organizations (see full list below). This dataset focuses on the species that contribute to the general biodiversity of Florida’s ecosystems and are not protected nor do they have restrictions on their harvest.This raster dataset merges a variety of spatial datasets that focus on specific regions or species of Florida. Additionally, three of the datasets were separated and then recombined into larger datasets based on the species classification. This dataset depicts the biodiversity species classification from the smaller datasets.The species location datasets in this dataset included:-Florida Keys Nearshore surveys 2002-2007 point file (Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, FWC) and related dbase table from which species observations-Florida Middle Keys seine survey sample locations (FWC) and a related dbase table from which species observations-Fisheries Independent Monitoring (FIM) Nearshore & Offshore dataset (FWRI-FWC) -Pelican locations surveys point file (FWC)-Terrapin locations (FWC)-Marsh bird location point file (FWC)
Copyright Text: Prior to July 1, 2004, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) was known as the Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI). The institute name has not been changed in historical data sets or references to work completed by the Florida Marine Research Institute. The institute name has been changed in references to ongoing research, new research, and contact information.