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effects of reduction mowing on gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)
Title
The effects of reduction mowing on gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus).
Creator
Del Signore, Vincent., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description
The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is endemic to the Southeast United States, where its populations are declining primarily due to habitat loss. Gopher tortoises prefer habitats with open sunny spots for nesting and basking. Fire is a normal element in gopher tortoise habitat, and when natural fires are suppressed, habitats may become too overgrown. To maintain the open spaces, some land managers use reduction mowing of vegetation. I studied gopher tortoises in the Abacoa Greenway...
Show moreThe gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is endemic to the Southeast United States, where its populations are declining primarily due to habitat loss. Gopher tortoises prefer habitats with open sunny spots for nesting and basking. Fire is a normal element in gopher tortoise habitat, and when natural fires are suppressed, habitats may become too overgrown. To maintain the open spaces, some land managers use reduction mowing of vegetation. I studied gopher tortoises in the Abacoa Greenway reserve, established to protect the tortoises in a residential area of Jupiter, Florida, and I examined how reduction mowing influences tortoise activity. I evaluated the distribution of burrows throughout the study site by flagging the burrows both before and after extensive reduction mowing took place in the greenway. Statistical comparison between new burrows found within the interior as compared to the periphery both before and after the mowing reveal a significant relationship between both variables. These results suggest that the tortoises utilize newly mowed areas as preferred substrate for new burrows.
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Date Issued
2007
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/40270
Subject Headings
Gopher tortoise, Ecology, Greenways, Niche (Ecology), Adaptation (Biology), Environmental impact analysis, Prescribed burning
Format
Document (PDF)
Observations of immature sea turtles at a nearshore hardbottom developmental habitat in Palm Beach, Florida
Title
Observations of immature sea turtles at a nearshore hardbottom developmental habitat in Palm Beach, Florida.
Creator
Garrido, Katharine., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description
Nearshore sabellariid worm rock reefs tracts along Florida's east cost provide developmental habitat for many juvenile green turtles.
Date Issued
2007
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/41004
Subject Headings
Sea turtles, Ecology, Adaptation (Biology), Wildlife conservation
Format
Document (PDF)