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Habitat structure and the dispersion of gopher tortoises on a nature preserve
Title
Habitat structure and the dispersion of gopher tortoises on a nature preserve.
Creator
Stewart, Mary Catherine., Florida Atlantic University, Austin, Daniel F.
Abstract/Description
Environmental parameters were quantified to develop a physiognomically-based system for describing and predicting gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) habitat on the Florida Atlantic University Nature Preserve. There were significant correlations among gopher tortoise densities and all physiognomic features except saw palmettos. The only feature with predictive usefulness was bare ground as indicated by a multiple regression. Burrows were regularly dispersed and the highest densities...
Show moreEnvironmental parameters were quantified to develop a physiognomically-based system for describing and predicting gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) habitat on the Florida Atlantic University Nature Preserve. There were significant correlations among gopher tortoise densities and all physiognomic features except saw palmettos. The only feature with predictive usefulness was bare ground as indicated by a multiple regression. Burrows were regularly dispersed and the highest densities occurred in wet prairie associations. Tortoises located burrows in areas with less canopy and shrub cover but greater herbaceous cover and more extensive bare ground. This physiognomically-based system for predicting location of gopher tortoise habitats should prove useful in the relocation of displaced tortoises as required by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.
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Date Issued
1991
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/14720
Subject Headings
Gopher tortoise, Reptiles--Florida, Wildlife conservation--Florida
Format
Document (PDF)
Effects of fish on reptile and amphibian community assemblages in wetlands of variable permanence
Title
Effects of fish on reptile and amphibian community assemblages in wetlands of variable permanence.
Creator
Holbrook, Joshua D., Dorn, Nathan, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
Many herpetofaunal species are imperiled, and the causes of this are often a synergy of multiple factors. In wetlands specifically, two of the possible determinants of species occurrence and faunal community assemblage are fish presence and wetland permanence, which are not always correlated. Twenty wetlands were sampled in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Florida, USA to observe how wetland herpetofaunal communities vary with fish, wetland permanence and other environmental factors....
Show moreMany herpetofaunal species are imperiled, and the causes of this are often a synergy of multiple factors. In wetlands specifically, two of the possible determinants of species occurrence and faunal community assemblage are fish presence and wetland permanence, which are not always correlated. Twenty wetlands were sampled in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Florida, USA to observe how wetland herpetofaunal communities vary with fish, wetland permanence and other environmental factors. Herpetofaunal communities with and without fish were significantly different from one another and differences between herpetofaunal communities were primarily due to the contribution of four species of frogs, two generalist ranids and two specialist hylids. Wetland permanence had no observable effect on community structure. Fishless wetlands were significantly more species-rich and possessed higher numbers of individuals even for species that occurred in both fishless and fish wetlands, regardless of their permanence. These findings have implications for wetlands restoration and herpetofaunal conservation.
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Date Issued
2014
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004203, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004203
Subject Headings
Amphibian surveys -- Florida -- Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Amphibians -- Conservation, Amphibians -- Ecology, Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Fla.), Reptiles -- Conservation, Reptiles -- Ecology, Wetland ecology, Wetlands -- Environmental aspects
Format
Document (PDF)
Effects of prescribed burning on native and exotic herpetofauna in Florida pine flatwoods in Savannas Preserve State Park
Title
Effects of prescribed burning on native and exotic herpetofauna in Florida pine flatwoods in Savannas Preserve State Park.
Creator
Goethel, Carrie Ann., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description
Florida's pine flatwoods are pyrogenic ecosystems that require frequent fires to regenerate the herbaceous layer and suppress crowding vegetation. Human development has hindered these natural fires and consequently affected the herpetofauna (amphibian and reptile) species. Anthropogenic encroachment, in addition to fire suppression, has also provided ideal habitats for invasive species within native environments. Exotic species are often found in developed areas around buildings and roads,...
Show moreFlorida's pine flatwoods are pyrogenic ecosystems that require frequent fires to regenerate the herbaceous layer and suppress crowding vegetation. Human development has hindered these natural fires and consequently affected the herpetofauna (amphibian and reptile) species. Anthropogenic encroachment, in addition to fire suppression, has also provided ideal habitats for invasive species within native environments. Exotic species are often found in developed areas around buildings and roads, and it is likely this pattern continues into the park. This eight-month coverboard survey focuses on the effects various fires may have on herpetofauna in the area and explores the level of intrusion exotic species exhibit within the communities. Minimal differences among herpetofauna composition between transects were found. However, a convincing percentage of exotic species were found only within the first ten meters of the transects while all native species were at least 25 meters into a transect.
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Date Issued
2007
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/11611
Subject Headings
Prescribed burning, Environmental aspects, Reptiles, Habitat, Scrub pine, Ecology, Savannas Preserve State Park (Fla.), Wildlife conservation
Format
Document (PDF)
Assemblage dynamics of exotic herpetofauna on Jupiter campus of Florida Atlantic University
Title
Assemblage dynamics of exotic herpetofauna on Jupiter campus of Florida Atlantic University.
Creator
Kingsland, Kimber, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description
Many species considered exotic, by both biological definition and social construction, have been introduced into South Florida. These species compete for resources with native species and with each other. In this study, I surveyed the John D. MacArthur Campus of Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter Florida during spring and fall of 2005 to determine the assemblage dynamics of several exotic herpetofauna species, primarily the nocturnal Wood Slave gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia), the Indo-...
Show moreMany species considered exotic, by both biological definition and social construction, have been introduced into South Florida. These species compete for resources with native species and with each other. In this study, I surveyed the John D. MacArthur Campus of Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter Florida during spring and fall of 2005 to determine the assemblage dynamics of several exotic herpetofauna species, primarily the nocturnal Wood Slave gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia), the Indo- Pacific gecko (H. garnotii), and the diurnal Cuban brown anole (Anolis sagrei). I found that the more recently established (H. mabouia) was out-competing (H. garnotii) on most of the buildings being surveyed. The study also showed that the Cuban treefrog, (Osteopilus septentrionalis) population affected the gecko populations significantly. (A. sagrei) was the primary anole found on campus, with sightings of (A. carolinensis) the native Florida green anole, being rare.
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Date Issued
2007
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/11609, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FADT11609
Subject Headings
Amphibians, Reptiles, Biological diversity conservation
Format
Document (PDF)