GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)

The interactive map, based on Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) vegetation designation, defines upland and benthic habitat in the Reserve. The associated report (2011) can be found in the E-library.

Using historic aerial imagery, the map demonstrates nearly eighty years of change in Rookery Bay and Collier County.

Hurricane Irma made landfall on Cape Romano within the Reserve. The map shows post-event images compiled by the Florida State Emergency Response Team.

Scientists from the University of South Florida used Worldview and Landsat satellite imagery along with automated mapping techniques run on the USF supercomputer to map the habitats throughout the Rookery Bay Reserve. The focus of the study was to map mangrove, impacted mangrove, uplands, developed areas, and bare ground habitats to examine change due to Hurricane Irma.

Rookery Bay Research Reserve co-manages portions of the Ten Thousand Islands Aquatic Preserve with the Florida Panther and Ten Thousand Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex. We also partner with resource management agencies in our region.

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Geospatial Open Data Portal
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission/ Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute GIS & Mapping Data Downloads
• Collier County Property Appraiser
• NOAA Digital Coast