Using Lidar Data to Assess the Relationship Between Beach Geomorphology and Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) Nest Site Selection Along Padre Island, TX, United States

摘要: The Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) is the most endangered species in world, largely due to limited geographic range of its nesting habitat. There has been research regarding connection between beach geomorphology and patterns, but studies concerning other suggest that certain variables, such as slope width, influence nest site selection. This attempts address literature gap by quantifying terrestrial habitat variability investigating characteristics preferences on Padre Island, Texas, USA. Geomorphology characteristics, width slope, were extracted from lidar-derived digital elevation models associated with coordinates pseudo-absence points randomly created within study area. Generalized linear random forest used assess significance variables for preferences. presence was successfully modeled using elevation, distance shoreline, maximum dune average relatively important models. ridleys exhibit a preference area avoid beaches extreme values. results this include new information have many applications conservation management.