Comparing sampling effort and errors in abundance estimates between short and protracted nesting seasons for sea turtles

摘要: Sea turtles have iteroparous reproduction, migrating periodically from foraging habitat to nesting grounds where they generally lay several clutches at regular intervals throughout a season. The total length of the season depends ultimately on environmental conditions that are conducive production viable hatchlings, and varies 3 4. months year-round nesting. As with many migratory marine species, ease monitoring their beaches opposed grounds, has resulted in focus research breeding females for population studies provides useful albeit limited index. To explore precision regimes sample turtle populations, we developed theoretical models 1/2-month 9-month populations. We used individual-based tagged animals parametric non-parametric estimate annual nest abundance track count data. These simulation show seasonality substantially influenced both temporal position optimal sampling regimes, showing five sevenfold greater effort required longer seasons order encounter between 83 90% population. implications trend detection inter-annual inter-species variations discussed.