Spatial and temporal distributions of sea turtles within the Florida current and surrounding waters

• Other Authors: Bovery, Caitlin M. (author)
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Florida Atlantic University
• Subjects: Sea turtles > Atlantic Coast (U.S.) > Florida > Distribution; Sea turtles > Atlantic Coast (U.S.) > Florida > Geographical distribution
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004083; http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004083

Assessing the spatial and temporal distributions of marine turtles in an open system poses both observational and analytical challenges due to their migratory nature and use of large current systems. Concentrations of animals can shift because turtles undergo large-scale migrations and habitat shifts seasonally as well as a function of lifestage. Surface counts of marine turtles in waters off Florida’s east coast were made in and adjacent to the Florida Current using standard aerial surveys. While it is understood that marine turtles use waters off the eastern coast of Florida, here we document the magnitude of the shift in turtle presence each season throughout a two year study and identify habitat characteristics where turtles occur most frequently. Our assessment of marine turtles in the waters off southeast Florida provide valuable metrics describing the in-water biology of sea turtles in this area to inform future management strategies of these endangered species. === Includes bibliography. === Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. === FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection