Martin & St. Lucie counties 2010-2012 Manatee Distribution Survey Theoretical Flight Path

Aerial distribution surveys are used by marine mammal biologists from FWC and other agencies to determine the seasonal distribution of manatees. Most surveys are conducted from small, four-seat, high-winged airplanes (Cessna 172 or 182) flying at a height of 500-1000 ft at a speed of 70-90 kts. Small helicopters may be used instead of fixed wing aircraft in urban areas or where waters are particularly opaque and hovering may be required. Surveys are flown along a standardized, theoretical flight route, which was designed to cover all likely manatee habitats in the study area. This "theoretical flight path" indicates the area that was covered during each survey, but it may not be the actual flight route flown on every survey. GPS tracklines recorded during surveys may be available for some flights. The survey area includes Ft. Pierce Inlet, Indian River, St. Lucie Inlet, St. Lucie River (North and South Fork), North Fork, Loxahatchee River, Jupiter Sound, and Hobe Sound.来自FWC及其他机构的海洋哺乳动物生物学家会开展航空分布调查，以探明海牛的季节分布格局。绝大多数调查采用四座上单翼小型飞机（赛斯纳172或182）执行，飞行高度设定为500至1000英尺，飞行速度为70至90节。在城市区域或水体透明度极低、需要实施悬停作业的场景中，可使用小型直升机替代固定翼航空器。调查沿标准化的理论航线实施，该航线的设计目标为覆盖研究区域内所有潜在的海牛栖息生境。该“理论飞行路径”标注了单次调查的覆盖范围，但实际执行的飞行航线未必与理论航线完全一致。部分飞行任务会留存调查过程中记录的GPS航迹数据。调查区域涵盖皮尔斯堡航道、印第安河、圣卢西航道、圣卢西河（北支与南支）、北支、洛萨哈奇河、朱庇特湾以及霍比湾。