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Estimating Occupancy of Gopher Tortoise (Gorpherus polyphemus) Burrows in Coastal Scrub and Slash Pine FlatwoodsOne hundred twelve plots were established in coastal scrub and slash pine flatwoods habitats on the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to evaluate relationships between the number of burrows and gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) density. All burrows were located within these plots and were classified according to tortoise activity. Depending on season, bucket trapping, a stick method, a gopher tortoise pulling device, and a camera system were used to estimate tortoise occupancy. Correction factors (% of burrows occupied) were calculated by season and habitat type. Our data suggest that less than 20% of the active and inactive burrows combined were occupied during seasons when gopher tortoises were active. Correction factors were higher in poorly-drained areas and lower in well-drained areas during the winter, when gopher tortoise activity was low. Correction factors differed from studies elsewhere, indicating that population estimates require correction factors specific to the site and season to accurately estimate population size.
Document ID
19970012792
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Breininger, David R.
(Bionetics Corp. Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Schmalzer, Paul A.
(Bionetics Corp. Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Hinkle, C. Ross
(Bionetics Corp. Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Herpetology
Volume: 25
Issue: 3
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
NASA-TM-112365
NAS 1.15:112365
Accession Number
97N71008
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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