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The Effect of Vegetation (Ipomoea pes-caprae) on Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) Nest Productivity

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Date Issued:
2008
Summary:
From 2004 - 2007, the beach at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge (St. Croix, USVI) experienced low summer erosion, which allowed native pioneer vegetation to spread seaward and invade leatherback-nesting areas. The encroachment of vegetation reduced nest survival. Here I describe the results of an experimental assessment of vegetation control methods and of the effects of native vegetation on leatherback hatching and emergence success. I tested four treatments: (i) naturally vegetated, (ii) herbicide treated vegetation, (iii) mechanically removed above ground vegetation, and (iv) non-vegetated (control) plots. Nests were relocated into each of the plot types then left to incubate naturally. Hatching and emergence success was reduced when vegetation was present. Vegetation was not adequately controlled by any of the methods tested. The results identify future research needs for the development of appropriate management to control the native vegetation and enhance leatherback nest productivity.
Title: The Effect of Vegetation (Ipomoea pes-caprae) on Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) Nest Productivity.
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Name(s): Conrad, Jeremy R.
Wyneken, Jeanette, Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2008
Date Issued: 2008
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 56 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: From 2004 - 2007, the beach at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge (St. Croix, USVI) experienced low summer erosion, which allowed native pioneer vegetation to spread seaward and invade leatherback-nesting areas. The encroachment of vegetation reduced nest survival. Here I describe the results of an experimental assessment of vegetation control methods and of the effects of native vegetation on leatherback hatching and emergence success. I tested four treatments: (i) naturally vegetated, (ii) herbicide treated vegetation, (iii) mechanically removed above ground vegetation, and (iv) non-vegetated (control) plots. Nests were relocated into each of the plot types then left to incubate naturally. Hatching and emergence success was reduced when vegetation was present. Vegetation was not adequately controlled by any of the methods tested. The results identify future research needs for the development of appropriate management to control the native vegetation and enhance leatherback nest productivity.
Identifier: FA00000736 (IID)
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2007.
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Subject(s): Vegetation dynamics
Wildlife habitat improvement
Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge (United States Virgin Islands)
Leatherback turtle--Habitat--Conservation
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000736
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
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Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.