Grant: 23-039R
Project Title: Late-Season Sea Turtle Nesting in Central and South Brevard County, Florida, Year 3
Project Manager: Erin E. Seney, Ph.D.
Organization: University of Central Florida (Research and Educational Institute)
Grant Amount: $14,631.00
Completion Date:
Summary: The University of Central Florida Marine Turtle Research Group (UCF MTRG) monitors sea turtle activity on densely-nested beaches, including the northern 21.0 km (13.0 miles) of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. These beaches support about 1 in 6 loggerhead (Caretta caretta) nests and 1 in 3 green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nests laid in the state, and UCF marks about 750-1,100 nests annually. Loggerhead nesting in UCF’s survey region typically extends into September, whereas green turtle nesting continues into October-November. Both species’ nests typically incubate for about 50-55 days on UCF beaches, but durations vary with temperature and precipitation. These late-season nests are most likely to overlap with dune restoration and beach nourishment. In Brevard County, sand placement activities typically occur during November-March, with some projects extending into spring. Per its marine turtle handbook, the FWC recognizes that late-season nest data are limited and takes a precautionary approach with relocation and inventory schedules. Larger, more recently collected datasets for late-season nests will help managers set appropriate avoidance marking and relocation windows based on the species’ biology, as well as inform other seasonal beach restrictions and nest inventory protocols. We will increase the number of September-November nests marked, monitored, and inventoried by the UCF MTRG and deploy temperature data loggers in 2023 to measure nest and ambient sand temperatures. Collecting temperature data will allow us to better understand incubation duration and reproductive success of nests laid in the cooler fall and winter months and provide insight into lower temperature limits tolerated by late-season nests, which will help fill knowledge gaps to better inform management agencies.
Results: