An atlas summarizing a variety of bay monitoring programs is now available on CD-Rom from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program.

Produced for TBEP by the Florida Marine Research Institute, the CD features GIS-based maps of the bay showing various layers of information, including seagrass recovery, habitat restoration sites, bathymetry, drainage basins, bird nesting colonies and manatee deaths. The maps can be enlarged, copied or otherwise manipulated using ArcView or Arc Explorer software -- which comes with the CD. They also can be used as ArcInfo files.

Instructions for installing Arc Explorer and using the CD are included.

The atlas is expected to be a valuable planning and research tool for scientists and bay managers, who can use the maps to examine specific areas in closer detail. The information presented in the maps will also be useful in evaluating and assessing the impacts of management actions on the bay’s resources.

A limited number of printed copies of the atlas also have been produced. This “coffee table” version features expanded information about the maps, including descriptive text and photos.