Sea turtle nutrient inputs to dune vegetation : a stable isotope analysis

Keywords

Sand dune ecology -- Florida, Sea turtles -- Habitat -- Florida

Abstract

Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles deposit nutrients on beaches during nesting, which may result in the nourishment of dune vegetation. Dune habitats are characteristically nutrient poor, thus an increase in nitrogen (N) concentrations could prove critical for maintaining dune vegetation, which in turn, stabilizes the dunes. For this study, stable-nitrogen isotope ratios (1 5N / 14N) were measured in vegetation along a gradient of loggerhead and green turtle nest densities. Research was conducted in summer of 2002 and spring of 2003 along a 40.5 km stretch of beach in Brevard County, Florida. This area boasts one of the largest concentrations of nesting sea turtles in the world. Dune vegetation samples were selected from four species of native plants that occur throughout the area: sea oats (Unico/a paniculata), seashore-elder (Iva impericata), bay bean (Canavalia rosea ), and sea grape ( Coccoloba uvifera ). Stable isotope ratios of vegetation from high and moderate turtle nest density areas and from varying distances from the high water mark on the beach were compared to determine if isotopic signatures of vegetation correspond to turtle nest density. This study demonstrates that nutrients deposited by sea turtles are absorbed by dune vegetation. Overall, plants in the area of higher nest density were enriched in 15N, indicating more marine-derived nutrients. This relationship between the turtles and the dune vegetation is mutually beneficial, as the turtles provide nutrients and the dune vegetation provides stable nesting area.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2004

Advisor

Roth, James D.

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Biology

Format

PDF

Pages

48 p.

Language

English

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0029493

Subjects

Arts and Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic; Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Sciences

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