USE OF PRESCRIBED FIRE TO INCREASE DETECTABILITY OF GOPHER TORTOISE (GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS) BURROWS PRIOR TO RELOCATION

Relocation of Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) populations is a commonly used impact mitigation strategy where their presence conflicts with anthropogenic development. Proper detection of burrows is crucial for detecting both tortoises and priority commensal species, such as Eastern Indigo Snakes (Drymarchon couperi), Florida Pine Snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus), and Gopher Frogs (Lithobates capita), which use G. polyphemus and Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) burrows. So as not to leave behind any tortoises requiring mitigation action, we tried survey approaches to increase detectability' of all G. polyphemus and D. novemcinctus burrows, especially those of juvenile G. polyphemus in dense vegetation. In summer and fall 2016, we conducted burrow surveys across about 16 ha of sandhill-Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) habitat. Initial surveys revealed high densities of hatchling and juvenile G. polyphemus. Therefore, we conducted a prescribed burn to clear out dense herbaceous groundcover that hides small tortoise burrows, thereby increasing burrow detectability. We compared pre- and post-burn survey results along with a detailed explanation of our survey methods. We located 323 G. polyphemus and D. novemcinctus burrows prior to the burn and an additional 91 burrows post-burn. Approximately 28% of burrows were detected post-burn. Many burrows and G. polyphemus were initially missed due to vegetation overgrowth hindering detection. Prescribed fire increased our survey efficiency' and accuracy, resulting in a more comprehensive extraction and translocation of animals. We therefore recommend that prescribed fires be used to increase survey effectiveness for G. polyphemus and other sandhills co-habitants where resource provisions and regulatory restrictions permit it.