The effects of geography, habitat, and humans on the ecology and demography of the Gopher tortoise in the southern Lake Wales Ridge region of Florida

Abstract

A 35-year (1967–2002) demographic study was conducted on the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) from two different habitats on Archbold Biological Station located on the southern end of the Lake Wales Ridge in south-central Florida. We found geographic, habitat, and human-mediated effects on several aspects of its biology. Our findings underscore the necessity of long-term demographic data to more accurately answer ecological questions concerning long-lived species, such as how the gopher tortoise detectably might be affected by habitat quality and human activities.