GREENWAYS & NATURAL LANDS

Listed Species Monitoring

Many listed species are indicators of environmental health and stability; therefore, it is important to monitor their populations, because if lost, their fundamental role in the environment is lost as well. The SCNLP will use the State designation for species of special concern, threatened, and endangered species status in its sampling efforts.

The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), which is listed as a threatened species by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, is present on several SCNLP sites. It is considered by many a keystone species (Hubbard 1894, 1896, Jackson 1988). Several species occurring in and dependent on gopher tortoise burrows, are themselves listed species. To determine and track the population structure of Gopher Tortoises, all individuals encountered during normal operations or captured in any type of trap, will be marked and released. The marking technique involves filing a systematic combination of notches on the marginal scutes of the carapace (Figure 2), or notching the shell (for turtles) (Figure 3 & Figure 4). During the marking process, and at subsequent encounters, appropriate data on morphometry, sex, ectoparasite load, and other criteria will be taken.  Post burn burrow surveys will also be conducted to trace tortoise populations response to prescribed fire.