Current Search: Wildlife management--Florida (x)
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- Title
- Effects of upper respiratory tract disease on the demographics of a gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) population in south Florida.
- Creator
- Karlin, Melissa Lynn, Florida Atlantic University, Moore, Jon, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
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Upper Respiratory Tract Disease is a highly contagious bacteria observed in gopher tortoise populations in Florida as early as 1989. In this study, 40 plasma samples were collected from a population to determine the effects on different age classes and genders. Results suggest adults are more susceptible to the disease and there is not a significant difference in the number of infected males and females. All subadults tested in this population were free of the disease. The effect on growth...
Show moreUpper Respiratory Tract Disease is a highly contagious bacteria observed in gopher tortoise populations in Florida as early as 1989. In this study, 40 plasma samples were collected from a population to determine the effects on different age classes and genders. Results suggest adults are more susceptible to the disease and there is not a significant difference in the number of infected males and females. All subadults tested in this population were free of the disease. The effect on growth rate was negligible; seropositive and seronegative individuals did not exhibit statistically significant differences in growth rates. In addition, an analysis of home range size reveals that adult males have the greatest home range size, which may provide a route for disease transmission to other adults. The long-term effects of URTD are still unknown; however, this data suggests a zero known mortality rate due to URTD over a four-year period.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13258
- Subject Headings
- Gopher tortoise--Diseases, Mycoplasma diseases in animals--Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Hydrologic and topographic gradient effects on woody vegetation of tree islands in the Everglades Wildlife Management Area.
- Creator
- Anderson, Michael Robert., Florida Atlantic University, Volin, John C.
- Abstract/Description
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Water management in the Everglades has been a challenge for managing agencies for quite some time. Presently, restoration efforts are underway to reestablish natural hydrological patterns such as flow, depth, and hydroperiod. Tree island health is of particular concern because of its importance to the functional integrity of the greater Everglades ecosystem. This study was designed to determine the effects of different hydrological patterns and elevations on native woody vegetation on tree...
Show moreWater management in the Everglades has been a challenge for managing agencies for quite some time. Presently, restoration efforts are underway to reestablish natural hydrological patterns such as flow, depth, and hydroperiod. Tree island health is of particular concern because of its importance to the functional integrity of the greater Everglades ecosystem. This study was designed to determine the effects of different hydrological patterns and elevations on native woody vegetation on tree islands. The study site was the Everglades Wildlife Management Area (EWMA) in the north central Everglades. The study site was broken up into two hydrological zones: dry zone and moderately wet zone. It was found that both hydrology and relative elevation were important predictors of woody species diversity and density. Average hydroperiod and ponding depth were the best sole predictors explaining up to 50% of the woody vegetation variability found within the tail and fringe community as well as the whole tree island.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2000
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12709
- Subject Headings
- Ecosystem management--Florida--Everglades, Woody plants--Florida--Everglades, Everglades Wildlife Management Area (Fla )
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Home Range and Activity Patterns in a South Florida Population of the Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus on Savannas Preserve State Park.
- Creator
- Davis, Jennifer L., Wyneken, Jeanette, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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The Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) lives in upland habitats throughout its life. Recent rapid urbanization of coastal Florida is resulting in large scale habitat fragmentation that negatively affects this and other upland species. Losses of upland habitats result in regulatory actions that include mitigation programs and animal relocations which currently occur in the absence of understanding region-specific behavior and habitat needs. Gopher Tortoise populations are similar to one...
Show moreThe Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) lives in upland habitats throughout its life. Recent rapid urbanization of coastal Florida is resulting in large scale habitat fragmentation that negatively affects this and other upland species. Losses of upland habitats result in regulatory actions that include mitigation programs and animal relocations which currently occur in the absence of understanding region-specific behavior and habitat needs. Gopher Tortoise populations are similar to one another in that males have larger home ranges than females, males defend burrows and mates during the breeding season, all have a high degree of home range overlap, and forage on similar vegetation types. This study shows that Southeastern Florida Gopher Tortoises differ from those elsewhere in that they maintain relatively small home ranges, forage throughout the year, engage in social interactions yearround, and have a bimodal (late winter-spring and late summer-fall) breeding season. My study identifies differences in activity, behavior, and home ranges in a South Florida population that may refine management strategies that include reconsideration of restocking Northern populations with individuals from South Florida.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000739
- Subject Headings
- Gopher tortoise--Habitat--Florida, Wildlife management--Florida, Environmental impact analysis--Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Resource use, competition, grazing behavior, and ecosystem invasion impacts of Pomacea maculata.
- Creator
- Monette, Dean J., Markwith, Scott, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
- Abstract/Description
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Invasion of exotic species is a global threat to native species, biological diversity, and ecological restoration projects. Pomacea maculata is a macrophyte herbivore often misidentified with one of the world’s most invasive and destructive exotic snail, Pomacea canaliculata, but has a broader geographical distribution and climate tolerance, and greater egg production. This research examines whether the exotic P. maculata and native Pomacea paludosa occupy identical vegetation communities,...
Show moreInvasion of exotic species is a global threat to native species, biological diversity, and ecological restoration projects. Pomacea maculata is a macrophyte herbivore often misidentified with one of the world’s most invasive and destructive exotic snail, Pomacea canaliculata, but has a broader geographical distribution and climate tolerance, and greater egg production. This research examines whether the exotic P. maculata and native Pomacea paludosa occupy identical vegetation communities, mechanisms of interference competition, grazing impact differences on Vallisneria americana and to develop an exploratory agent based model. This model uses historical and present data to project how differences between species in life history and grazing patterns can potentially impact South Florida ecosystems. This model examined how P. maculate invasion of South Florida could affect two of the Central Everglades Planning Project’s main environmental restoration goals: function of key vegetative communities and conservation of endangered or threatened species.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004309, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004309
- Subject Headings
- Competition (Biology), Ecosystem management -- Florida, Florida applesnail -- Ecology, Florida applesnail -- Environmental aspects, Florida applesnail -- Habitat, Pomacea maculata -- Florida, Wildlife conservation -- Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Characteristics Affecting Prey Vulnerability and Avian Habitat Selection in the Florida Everglades.
- Creator
- Harris, Rachael L., Gawlik, Dale E., Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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The vulnerability of prey to capture plays a fundamental role in determining overall prey availability for wading birds. Structural complexity can act to decrease prey vulnerability and influence foraging habitat selection. To determine how structural complexity can affect habitat selection I conducted a use vs. availability study throughout the Florida Everglades in 2005 and 2006. Results indicated that wading birds chose foraging sites that had less emergent vegetation and a thicker...
Show moreThe vulnerability of prey to capture plays a fundamental role in determining overall prey availability for wading birds. Structural complexity can act to decrease prey vulnerability and influence foraging habitat selection. To determine how structural complexity can affect habitat selection I conducted a use vs. availability study throughout the Florida Everglades in 2005 and 2006. Results indicated that wading birds chose foraging sites that had less emergent vegetation and a thicker flocculent layer relative to random sites. Submerged vegetation, and the height of emergent vegetation did not affect wading bird site selection. A difference in habitat selection between years was evident due to hydrological conditions. Ideal hydrological conditions are probably the most important parameter to wading bird success. Other factors affecting prey vulnerability became increasingly important in years of poor hydrology, probably because the penalty for choosing low quality foraging habitat would be greater than in years of more optimal conditions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000754
- Subject Headings
- Everglades (Fla), South Florida Water Management District (Fla ), Wildlife management--Florida--Everglades, Bird populations--Florida--Everglades, Water birds--Florida--Everglades, Wetland ecology--Florida--Everglades
- Format
- Document (PDF)