Contributions of Private Landowners to the Conservation of the Gopher Tortoise (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gopherus polyphemus</Emphasis>) |
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Authors: | Vicki?J?Underwood Email author" target="_blank">Holly?K?OberEmail author Deborah?L?Miller Ian?A?Munn |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA;(2) Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, NFREC, University of Florida, 155 Research Road, Quincy, FL 32351, USA;(3) Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, WFREC, University of Florida, 5988 Hwy 90, Milton, FL 32583, USA;(4) Department of Forestry, Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA; |
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Abstract: | Private landowners play a pivotal role in determining whether or not rare species persist in regions where privately owned
land is extensive. The range of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is confined to the Southeastern U.S., a region predominantly under private ownership, and thus the status of this species
is largely dependent upon land management decisions made by private landowners. We sent an anonymous mail survey to 2,584
individuals to examine factors affecting gopher tortoise occurrence on private lands in Mississippi (adjusted response rate
of 23%). Few respondents (19%) reported currently having tortoises on their property, although many had them in the past (30%).
Tortoises were persisting primarily on larger properties with longleaf pine that were not managed chiefly for timber production.
In general, respondents were largely unaware of habitat requirements of tortoises or effects of various land management practices
on them, and few reported using management techniques that benefit tortoises, such as prescribed burning. Most respondents
(57%) knew of wildlife incentive programs, but were hesitant to enroll because they did not want to commit to managing their
property in a particular manner (34%). We suggest actions that could improve the likelihood of tortoise persistence in this
region, as well as changes that could be made to incentive programs to increase landowner participation. These suggestions
should be relevant to the conservation of other rare species on private lands in other regions. |
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