Distribution and Abundance of Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) and Snowy Plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus) on the West Coast of Florida Before and After the 2004/2005 Hurricane Seasons

摘要: Abstract : In 2004 and 2005 several large hurricanes (category 3 or greater) made landfall along Florida's barrier island shorelines. Where shorelines were developed, storms did millions of dollars in structural damage. previous shoreline protection had occurred the form beach nourishment dune restoration, much this sand was removed. On public lands, overwash from removed vegetation, redistributed sand, created new inlets, some cases, caused damage to park roads facilities. Large federal state appropriations for post-storm ushered busiest period placement Florida history. Panhandle Southwest Gulf Coast host proportions continental non-breeding populations both federally-listed Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) state-threatened Snowy alexandrinus). These two regions also contain majority Plover pairs nesting eastern Mexico. This report compares distribution plovers engineering projects before after 2004/2005 hurricane seasons. Counts similar between pre- surveys bird not change appreciably periods. However, investigation illustrated a strong negative correlation presence plover species. Future research should clarify if is result habitat degradation that can be directly attributed placement, perhaps mitigated, tendency occur areas high population density where human disturbance may limit plovers.