Article Review: Multiscale Burrow Site Selection of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in Coastal Sand Dune Habitat

Gopher tortoises are an important species of turtles because they are a keystone species for animals found in sandy areas where these tortoises make their burrows. This species of turtles is found in the Southeastern part of the United States, but primarily in Georgia and Florida. Since the gopher tortoise makes burrows in areas with sandy soil and low growing vegetation. This type of area is typically found in the coastal region of Georgia and Florida which poses a threat to the tortoises because these coastal regions that attracts the tortoises also attracts humans. Since there is an increased amount of human activity in this burrowing area as opposed to other studied sites in more remote areas, researchers wanted to study how this increased activity influenced gopher tortoises' burrow placement. Researchers found that there are many biological and environmental factors that influence burrow placement. Factors that significantly influenced site selection included type of land cover, soil resistance, angles of slopes, and density of tortoise burrows to name a few. The main conclusion drawn from this evidence is that gopher tortoises in coastal regions require more site-specific management due to limited optimal burrow site areas as opposed to those in more open regions.
This is an interesting and important study not only because it is looking at the gopher tortoise and what influences them when constructing burrows, but they are looking at how human impact is changing their patterns and how they are adjusting to survive. I feel as though it is our duty to restrict the amount of area we develop along coastlines to prevent habitat fragmentation and/or habitat destruction of such an important species of turtles. If humans want to live at the beach, it is much easier for us to find a new area to live as opposed to these turtles whose potential habitat space is drastically decreasing which therefore directly affects the species that rely on the burrows of these tortoises.
Authors: Anthony Lau and C. Kenneth Dodd Jr.
Journal of Coastal Research (JCR)

Lau, A., & Dodd, C. (2015). Multiscale Burrow Site Selection of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in Coastal Sand Dune Habitat. Journal of Coastal Research, 31(2), 305-314. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.nuncio.cofc.edu/stable/43290640

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