Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-8mjnm Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-27T10:50:54.991Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Dramatic reduction in predation on marine turtle nests through improved predator monitoring and management

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2005

Richard M. Engeman
Affiliation:
National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154, USA.
R. Erik Martin
Affiliation:
Ecological Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 405, Jensen Beach, FL 34958, USA.
Henry T. Smith
Affiliation:
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Park Service, 13798 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound, FL 33455, USA.
John Woolard
Affiliation:
USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services, 2820 East University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32641, USA.
Carrie K. Crady
Affiliation:
Ecological Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 405, Jensen Beach, FL 34958, USA.
Stephanie A. Shwiff
Affiliation:
National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154, USA.
Bernice Constantin
Affiliation:
USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services, 2820 East University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32641, USA.
Margo Stahl
Affiliation:
Hobe Sound NWR, 13640 S.E. Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound, FL 33455, USA.
John Griner
Affiliation:
St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park, 16450 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound, FL 33455, USA.
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

We describe improvements to monitoring/indexing methodology for predators of marine turtle nests on the east coast of Florida, and the resulting marine turtle conservation implications from integrating the methodology into predator management. A strip transect from dune line to the shore improved an already successful design for monitoring raccoons, and was also sensitive for armadillos. The data were integrated into predator management operations to effectively and efficiently remove the species responsible for turtle nest predation. Tracking plot data also served to validate predator patterns of behavior relative to turtle nesting and improve prospects for preventive predator management strategies. Perhaps the most important finding is that predation at a beach historically suffering nearly complete losses (95%) of marine turtle nests had nest predation reduced to nominal levels (9.4%). For 2002 this predation level represents an estimated 69,000 additional hatchling turtles produced over historical predation rates, and 16,700 additional hatchlings over the previous lowest predation rate.

Type
Articles
Copyright
© 2005 Fauna & Flora International