Benthic habitat characterization and habitat use of threatened and endangered sea turtles in Marine Protected Areas of the Greater Everglades

Institution of marine protected areas (MPAs) in which human use is highly regulated has become a priority management tool for at-risk coral reef habitats. The effectiveness of MPAs may be heavily dependent upon reserve factors such as size, placement or location, and enforcement of protected area boundaries, as well as whether adequate protection for vulnerable life stages of key species is provided in protected habitats. In the Dry Tortugas National Park (DRTO), several MPAs have been established to protect natural and fisheries resources and associated coral reef habitats. This project proposed exploratory research to conduct a coupled habitat + species sampling project within and around the new Research Natural Area (RNA) or DRTO. Specifically, we will assess use of habitat in and around no-take areas of the RNA by several species of federally endangered sea turtles (i.e., greens, (Chelonia mydas), hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata) and loggerheads (Caretta caretta)), Green turtles are almost exclusively herbivores, consuming seagrasses and algae, Hawksbills eat sponges, and thus are found associated with coral reefs and sponge cover, and Loggerheads feed on benthic invertebrates such as lobsters and crabs, as well as on fishery discards. Thus, these species are directly linked to key habitats of interest in DRTO and the surrounding waters. All three species are particularly suiteable for immediate monitoring because they also nest on sandy upland aeas of the Tortugas Islands.