Research:
Beginning at the break of dawn on March
1st until October 31, the Boca Raton Sea Turtle Conservation
and Research Program based at Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex
conducts nesting research on a stretch of 5 miles of Boca Raton's beaches.
Researchers are looking for evidence left behind from one of the three
species that regularly nest here.
Along with our conservation efforts Gumbo
Limbo gives you a unique peek at this living fossil's life cycle. Knowledgeable
staff conduct tours to the beach that allow you to view one of these
magnificent creatures nesting. Tours are held mid May to mid July. Due
to the volume of requests for this unique program, tickets must be purchased
in person at Gumbo Limbo. Tickets are available the 2nd Saturday in
May.
Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex resources
are also utilized for a variety of research projects. The following
are a sample of current projects:
Recovery of Beach Jacquemontia, A Federally Endangered
Dune Species: Fairchild Tropical Gardens. www.ftg.org
Pre-Columbian Settlements
on a SE Florida Barrier Island: Dr. Arlene Fradkin, Florida
Atlantic University.
Plant-Insect Interactions on a SE Florida Barrier Island:
Evelyn Frazier, Florida Atlantic University.
National Butterfly Count:
Gumbo Limbo Staff and North American Butterfly Association. www.naba.org/counts.html
Effects on Hypersalinity on Seagrasses: Dr.
Marguerite Koch, Florida Atlantic University. www.fau.edu/divdept/biology/people/mrose.htm
Shark (elasmobranch) Sensory Modalities:
Dr. Steve Kajiura, Florida Atlantic University. www.science.fau.edu/sharklab/index.htm
Solar Panel Testing:
Dr. Robert Messenger, Florida Atlantic University.
Oyster Growth as a Function of Salinity:
SFWMD
Ecological Dynamics of Maritime Tropical Hammocks:
Dr. Ann Riley, Florida Atlantic University.
Use of Hot Sauce to Deter
Mammalian Predation: Dr. Kirt Rusenko & Boca Raton Sea
Turtle Conservation and Research Staff.
Effects of Spanish River Park/A1A Embedded Roadway Lighting
Project on Marine Turtle Orientation: Dr. Micheal Salmon,
Florida Atlantic University; Dr. Kirt Rusenko & Boca Raton Sea Turtle
Conservation and Research Staff, and the University of Florida. www.seaturtle.org/symposium/2002/program/poster_session_1.pdf
Effects on Mammalian Predation
on Sea Turtle Nests: Dr. Michael Salmon, Florida Atlantic
University; Dr. Kirt Rusenko & Boca Raton Sea Turtle Conservation
and Research Staff.
www.chelonian.org/ccb/titles/V3_4.shtml
Ecotope changes from the 1940 to
present of Gumbo Limbo and James A. Rutherford Park: Dr.
Charles Roberts, Florida Atlantic University.
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