Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Space Use And Relative Habitat Selection For Immature Green Turtles Within A Caribbean Marine Protected Area, Lucas P. Griffin, Brian J. Smith, Michael S. Cherkiss, Andrew G. Crowder, Clayton G. Pollock, Zandy Hillis-Starr, Andy J. Danylchuk, Kristen M. Hart

Wildland Resources Student Research

Background

A better understanding of sea turtle spatial ecology is critical for the continued conservation of imperiled sea turtles and their habitats. For resource managers to develop the most effective conservation strategies, it is especially important to examine how turtles use and select for habitats within their developmental foraging grounds. Here, we examine the space use and relative habitat selection of immature green turtles (Chelonia mydas) using acoustic telemetry within the marine protected area, Buck Island Reef National Monument (BIRNM), St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands.

Results

Space use by turtles was concentrated on the southern side of …