Aerial surveys of manatees (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichechus manatus)</Emphasis> in Lee County,Florida<Emphasis Type="Italic">,</Emphasis> provide insights regarding manatee abundance and real time information for managers and enforcement officers |
| |
Authors: | Deirdre J Semeyn Carolyn C Cush Kerri M Scolardi Jennifer Hebert Justin D McBride Denis Grealish John E Reynolds |
| |
Institution: | (1) 5507 S. Bernie St., Tampa, FL 33611, USA;(2) Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA;(3) 2740 Chariton Street, Oakton, VA 22124, USA;(4) Lee County Division of Natural Resources Marine Program, 1500 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33902, USA;(5) Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement, Edwards Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA;; |
| |
Abstract: | Conservation and management of the endangered Florida manatee is often centered on reducing mortality caused by watercraft
collisions. Lee County, Florida, has led the state in watercraft-related mortality for eight of the last 10 years. This county
is of particular concern as it contains important habitat for manatees, including extensive feeding grounds and an artificial
warm-water refuge where more than 900 manatees have been recorded on a single day. Distributional aerial surveys were conducted
from April 2007 through April 2009 over Lee County waters. Surveys yielded higher numbers of manatees than previously observed
in this area. Using GIS methodology, kernel density analysis illustrated seasonal changes in distribution patterns and highlighted
areas where manatees were most densely clustered. For example, during summer months, manatees were widely distributed throughout
the survey area, with high-density areas associated with seagrass beds. During winter months, manatees were densely clustered
at warm-water sites and over feeding grounds within close distance of these sites. These seasonal distribution patterns coincide
well with speed zone designations. Counts and distributions of manatees were made available, almost immediately if necessary,
to local marine law enforcement in an attempt to focus resources toward reducing manatee-watercraft collisions. Future studies
should implement similar communication strategies to improve conservation efforts. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|