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  4. Population ecology of American alligators in South Carolina

Population ecology of American alligators in South Carolina

Data on biology and management of American alligators in South Carolina

Dates

Start Date
2010

Summary

Funding for this study was provided by the U.S. Geological Survey (Cooperative Agreement nos. G12AC20329, G15AC00264) and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (Grant nos. 2009094, 20100899). This study examines drivers of American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) population dynamics in South Carolina. Study objectives are to (1) estimate demographic parameters and abundance from marked alligators and nightlight surveys in an integrated population modeling framework, (2) optimize nightlight survey monitoring design to maximize abundance estimate accuracy and precision and minimize costs, (3) identify an optimal harvest strategy to maintain population stability and limit changes to size class distributions, (4) identify [...]

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Contacts

Author :
Patrick G Jodice, Abigail J. Lawson, Clinton Moore

Attached Files

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Population ecology of American alligators in South Carolina.xml
Original FGDC Metadata
View 		6.22 KB application/fgdc+xml
Alligator marked with a GPS transmitter at the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, South Carolina.JPG
“A.J. Lawson (2016) Alligator marked with a GPS transmitter” 		thumbnail 2.11 MB image/jpeg

Purpose

This study addresses uncertainties in conservation decision making for American alligators in South Carolina, and describes general patterns in their spatial and behavioral ecology. A limited working knowledge of alligator demography, behavior, as well as confounding between drivers of abundance and detection has historically precluded the ability of managers to predict the outcome of harvest decisions in American alligators. Specifically, the project provides baseline demographic parameter, detection, and abundance estimates, which were used in a series of simulations to evaluate population-level effects of differing harvest and monitoring strategies, and can easily be extended to other study systems. Similarly, the general patterns in spatial and behavioral ecology documented by the project contribute to a broader understanding of alligator biology across their range, and how said behaviors can interact with monitoring programs intended to inform management decisions.

Rights

The authors of these data require that data users contact them regarding intended use and to assist with understanding limitations and interpretation. Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata, and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
A.J. Lawson (2016) Alligator marked with a GPS transmitter
A.J. Lawson (2016) Alligator marked with a GPS transmitter

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