Analyzing gopher tortoise habitat use and distribution in an urban context using GIS and R

Background/Question/Methods

Shrinking natural habitats and associated habitat fragmentation threaten biodiversity and are a direct result of increasing urbanization. Gopher tortoises serve as an excellent study species in addressing this issue in the southeastern United States due to their ecological impact and representation in many threatened habitats. We surveyed a fragmented habitat for gopher tortoise burrows and vegetation characteristics in Southeastern Florida. We used GIS to map our field data in conjunction with remotely sensed data to understand tortoise habitat preferences.

Results/Conclusions

We found no significant correlation between burrow locations and the vegetation features measured. Elevation did not seem to be a significant predictor either. Burrow distance to edges and park pathways, however may be significantly correlated. Lack of sufficient data and small habitat size may account for the lack of correlation between our predictor variables and burrow placement. More research is required on habitat use and distribution within an urban context to enhance management and conservation of native species and habitats.