USING SURVEYS AS A TOOL TO ASSESS SEA TURTLE DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT USE, AND TO PROMOTE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT
Abstract
Female loggerhead sea turtles nesting on Bald Head Island, N.C. were equipped with
satellite
transmitters to assess their post-nesting movements and habitat use. The resulting
surface
satellite data revealed foraging and overwintering sites used by these sea turtles,
but data provide
limited benthic habitat information. To complement this data, a survey was developed
to target
N.C. dive shops, fishermen and offshore researchers to gather information in an effort
to
characterize the features of these habitats. An online survey and database will allow
for public
reporting of sea turtle sightings data and habitat information to complement existing
long-term
observation studies. By engaging the public in this citizen-scientist approach to
sea turtle
monitoring, these efforts may promote state-wide awareness and conservation efforts
for sea
turtles, as well as provide valuable data to researchers. The survey will eventually
be expanded
to accommodate global sightings reports and data will be managed through regional
networks.
Type
Master's projectSubject
Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)Nesting
Bald Head Island, North Carolina
Monitoring
Citizen Participation
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/324Citation
Saladin, Nicole (2007). USING SURVEYS AS A TOOL TO ASSESS SEA TURTLE DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT USE, AND TO
PROMOTE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/324.Collections
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