Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
|
 |
|
Chapin, K. J., & Meylan, P. A. (2011). Turtle populations at a heavily used recreational site: ichetucknee springs state park, columbia county, florida. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 6(1), 51–60.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (25 Jun 2011 12:41:22 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Chapin2011 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Emydidae, Habitat = habitat, Kinosternidae, Nordamerika = North America, Pseudemys, Pseudemys concinna, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Sternotherus, Sternotherus minor, Trachemys, Trachemys scripta Creators: Chapin, Meylan Collection: Herpetological Conservation and Biology |
Views: 5/815
Views index: 17% Popularity index: 4.25% |
| Abstract |
|
Abstract.—Nearly 189,000 people visited Ichetucknee Springs State Park in 2002, a number 55,000 greater than 10 years prior. Because the number of visitors is likely to increase in the future, it is important to determine baseline population levels for turtle species inhabiting the springs. We studied the freshwater turtle fauna of a 5.16 km (10.99 ha) section of Ichetucknee Spring Run, Columbia County, Florida using mark-recapture methods. We compared turtle population estimates to historical data from Ichetucknee Spring Run and Rainbow Run, Marion County, Florida, USA. We developed a geographic information system (GIS) to analyze the spatial relationships of the turtle community. The turtle faunas of the two spring runs are nearly identical, but do have notable differences in species composition (e.g., Trachemys scripta at Ichetucknee Run is replaced by Pseudemys floridana at Rainbow Run). Population structure of Pseudemys concinna differs significantly between sites and may reflect take of large adults at Rainbow Run for human consumption. Although preliminary, population estimates of Sternotherus minor at Ichetucknee Run rival historical estimates. GIS analysis of the distribution of habitats and turtle captures along Ichetucknee Spring Run suggest the recognition of four distinct portions, or “reaches,” that are relevant to turtle distributions. Identification of changes in the turtle community and consideration of possible causes can contribute to management strategies that will help to maintain the overall health of this icon among Florida’s natural attractions.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |