Loxahatchee River Seagrass Communities (2006)

This polygon feature class identifies the extent and distribution of seagrass communities within the Central Embayment of the Loxahatchee River in August 2006. Seagrass data was photointerpreted from 1:4,800 scale stereo true color aerial photography diapositives and classified using the SFWMD modified FLUCCS classification system using a minimum mapping unit of 0.25 acres. Mapping and ground truthing were performed by Avineon, Inc. Attribute accuracy was tested by visual comparison of the aerial photographs with the seagrass data to ensure consistency with the classification system and photo signatures. Positional accuracy for this data meets or exceeds the USGS National Map Accuracy Standards (NMAS). These data were collected for monitoring purposes and will be used to track the health of the seagrass communities in this area. Monitoring of Seagrass communities through mapping and photo interpretation provides an effective and economical means for measuring ecological change over time. Detectable changes will result from natural succession, as well as anthropogenically altered forcing functions. Detecting these changes using historical photograph sets can provide a measure of how these factors affect the seagrasses within the Central Embayment of the Loxahatchee River.