Date:
October 30, 2015
Source:
United States Geological Survey
Alligators
and the Everglades go hand-in-hand, and as water conditions change in the
greater Everglades ecosystem, gators are one of the key species that could be
affected.
A
recent study conducted by researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of Florida found the number of
American alligators observed in the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife
Refuge dropped following dry years, and then appeared to recover in later
non-dry years. The decrease in alligators appeared proportional to the
intensity of the dry event. The refuge is located west of Boynton Beach, within
the greater Everglades ecosystem.
"Alligator
behavior and habitat use is linked to hydrology, and when that hydrology
changes, alligator behavior and habitat can change," said USGS research
ecologist Hardin Waddle, lead author of the study. "They don't need it wet
all the time, but if dry events increase in frequency and intensity, this could
be problematic for alligator numbers in the greater Everglades ecosystem."
Ten
years of spotlight night counts in marsh and canals were analyzed to better
understand the effect of annual minimum water depth on annual population growth
rate. Years were considered dry if they experienced a drop in water level to 6
inches above the marsh surface. At this water level, alligators have difficulty
moving around.
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