Tracking sea turtles in the Everglades

Endangered Species Bulletin
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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has a long history of conducting research on threatened, endangered, and at-risk species inhabiting both terrestrial and marine environments, particularly those found within national parks and protected areas. In the coastal Gulf of Mexico region, for example, USGS scientist Donna Shaver at Padre Island National Seashore in Texas has focused on “headstarting” hatchlings of the rare Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii). She is also analyzing trends in sea turtle strandings onshore and interactions with Gulf shrimp fisheries.

Along south Florida’s Gulf coast, the USGS has focused on research and monitoring for managing the greater Everglades ecosystem. One novel project involves the endangered green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). The ecology and movements of adult green turtles are reasonably well understood, largely due to decades of nesting beach monitoring by a network of researchers and volunteers. In contrast, relatively little is known about the habitat requirements and movements of juvenile and subadult sea turtles of any species in their aquatic environment.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Tracking sea turtles in the Everglades
Series title Endangered Species Bulletin
Year Published 2008
Language English
Publisher U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Contributing office(s) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 4 p.
Country United States
State Florida
Other Geospatial Everglades National Park
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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