Case study data 2022: The effects of dune plant roots on loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nest success
Data files
Mar 25, 2024 version files 83.22 KB
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README.md
2.88 KB
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ReddingRootsCaseStudy22.csv
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ReddingRootsCaseStudy22.xlsx
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Abstract
Sand dunes are supported by the extensive root systems of dune plants that anchor the dune and protect it from erosion. While all plants that grow on the dunes support their structure, invasive plants can outcompete native and non-native dune plants for resources such as nutrients, sunlight, and space to grow. During the summer, sea turtles lay nests on beaches and near dunes; however, their eggs and hatchlings are at risk of destruction and entrapment by dune plant root penetration. Dune plant roots can penetrate sea turtle nest cavities, thus decreasing the hatching success of the eggs and the emergence success of the hatchlings. The purpose of this project was to determine how plant roots impact loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nest success on Casey Key, Sarasota County, Florida, USA, and to assess which factors affect plant root invasion. We predicted (1) a negative impact on loggerhead sea turtle nests by plant roots, (2) invasive plants have a larger impact than native or non-native plants, and (3) the distance from the dune affects whether roots will penetrate the nest. Data from nests excavated in 2022 were used to determine the extent of root penetration and species of plants were documented. Statistical models were used to identify which variables had the greatest effect on root penetration. The results of this study conclude that root presence in the nest cavity decreases both hatch and emergence success of hatchlings within the nest and that nests closer to the dune are more likely to have a higher proportion of root damage and lower hatch and emergence success. This study helps advance understanding of how and if invasive plants affect sea turtle reproductive success and helps inform coastal management aimed at conserving threatened loggerhead populations.
General Information
The raw data presented in Redding et al. (2024) are included. This study aimed to understand the impact of dune plant roots on the eggs of threatened loggerhead sea turtles. Data per nest, including zone number, location, distance to the dune and the high water mark (m), excavation date, nest chamber measurements (cm), vegetation and root presence, egg status counts, and hatch and emergence successes, are included in the file ‘ReddingRootsCaseStudy22.csv’. Please review methods in Redding et al. (2024) for information on data collection.
Year Collected: 2022
Species: Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles
Collection site: Casey Key, Florida (93 nests)
Data
ReddingRootsCaseStudy22.csv
A. NestID - Nest identification number
B. ZoneID - Zone of nest locations
C. Lat - Latitude of nest
D. Long - Longitude of nest
E. ExDate - Excavation date
F. Species - Sea turtle species
G. Key - Key where nest was located
H. VegPresence - Presence/absence (1/0) of vegetation around nest
I. VegType - Species of vegetation around nest
J. RootPresence - Presence/absence (1/0) of roots around nest
K. PlantRoot - Species of plant roots belonged to
L. Comments - Comments about roots
M. DistBarrier - Distance of nest to the barrier (m)
N. DistHighWater - Distance of nest to the high water mark (m)
O. TotalDist - Total width of beach (m)
P. LocOnBeach - Location of nest on the beach
Q. Division - Which division nest was located on beach; beach was divided into thirds
R. SurfaceDepth - Depth from surface to first egg (cm)
S. BottomDepth - Depth from surface to bottom of nest chamber (cm)
T. InternalDepth - Internal nest chamber depth (cm)
U. CavityWidth - Width of the nest cavity, from wall to wall (cm)
V. Hatched - Number of eggs hatched
W. Unhatched - Number of eggs unhatched
X. Developed_UH - Number of unhatched eggs with developed hatchling
Y. LivePip - Number of live pipped hatchlings
Z. DeadPip - Number of dead pipped hatchlings
AA. Yolkless - Number of yolkless eggs
AB. EncasedTotal - Number of total root-encased eggs
AC. DevEnc_UH - Number of root-encased unhatched eggs with developed hatchling
AD. H_Encased - Number of root-encased hatched eggs
AE. UH_Encased - Number of root-encased unhatched eggs
AF. InvadedTotal - Number of total root-invaded eggs
AG. H_Invaded - Number of root-invaded hatched eggs
AH. UH_Invaded - Number of root-invaded unhatched eggs
AI. Live - Number of live hatchlings
AJ. Dead - Number of dead hatchlings
AK. Depredated - Depredation of nest (yes/no; 1/0)
AL. RootDamageProp - Proportion of root damaged eggs
AM. HS - Hatch success
AN. ES - Emergence success
AO. TotalEggs - Total eggs within the nest
AP. Notes - Notes on nest
Sharing/access Information
N/A
Code/Software
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Raw case study data was collected by excavating loggerhead sea turtle nests and identifying surrounding plants in 2022.