PLANTS maps: a new system

PLANTS

maps: a new system

We are trying out a new mapping system for PLANTS

,

using

dynamic

, zoomable

maps

like many

others

on the web today.

Rather than clicking on

a state in a small

-

scale map to go to a

separate map for that state

showing counties

,

t

his

new system allows the user to zoom in

gradually, showing county

-

level distributions

regionally

to

locally. This new mapping system

will

have

more

changes and improvements in the future.

Navigation:

Vertical and

horizontal

You can move

the map vertic

ally or horizontally either by using the arrow keys

on your keyboard or

by

using your mouse. With your mouse

, center the arrow

over the place of interest, hold down the left mouse button, and move your

mouse.

Zooming

in and out

Our new maps have nine

sca

le

levels,

the default at the smallest scale, showing

most of North America.

County

-

level distributions are shown at the seven higher

scale levels. T

here are three ways you can zoom in or out

.

●

U

se the slider ba

r to the left side of the map

.

Click on a point on the slider bar

to adjust the map to that approximate scale, or click and drag the slider on that

bar to adjust scale.

●

D

ouble

-

click on the spot you are interested in to zoom in by one

step (you

would need to double

-

click ei

ght times to zoom in all the way)

.

●

Z

oom in by centering the mouse arrow on the point of interest and use the

scroll wheel on the mouse (if your mouse has that

function

).

Map colors and nativity:

We no longer show

separate nativity status maps. Instead, nativity status and distribution are

presented in one map.

Native plants are mapped in green, non

-

native (introduced) in blue, and

plants that are

both native and non

-

native in orange.

If no county

-

level data is

present (U.S.

states and possessions only)

then at the seven higher

scale levels those regions will

fill

in a paler

shade of the same nativity color

.

The nativity status color scheme is shown in the legend below the map, an

d a summary of

nativity within Native Status J

urisdictions is given in filled or unfilled circles below the map

legend.

This nativity summary

using circles

is most handy for jurisdictions not easily visible in

the smallest map scales (e.g. Hawaii, Puerto

Rico)

.