Abstract:

This dataset includes beach geomorphology characteristics, such as beach slope and width and dune height, for beaches on North and South Padre Island, Texas at nesting sites of the Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) and at pseudo-absence sites. The geomorphology characteristics were derived from elevation surfaces generated from airborne topographic lidar data collected annually along the Texas coast from 2009 through 2012, which are also included in this dataset. The coordinates of observed Kemp’s ridley nests from corresponding years were obtained from the Padre Island National Seashore. Pseudo-absence points, or background data, were generated randomly at a 10:1 ratio to the presence data. This dataset also includes the daily average environmental conditions associated with the daily nest counts.

Suggested Citation:

Michelle F. Culver. 2020. Beach Geomorphology and Kemp's Ridley Nest Site Selection Along Padre Island, Texas from 2009-04-01 to 2012-08-01. Distributed by: Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information and Data Cooperative (GRIIDC), Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7445K0Z

Purpose:

The main goal of this project is to assess the relationship between beach geomorphology and Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) nest site selection on North and South Padre Islands, Texas, USA. A secondary goal of this research is to determine the influence of environmental conditions on Kemp’s ridley nest presence.

Data Parameters and Units:

Wind speed (knots), gust speed (knots), wind direction (degrees), air and water temperature (degrees F), nest presence (1) or absence (0), beach and dune width (m), beach and dune slope (degrees), dune peak height (m), distance from shoreline (m), elevation (m), aspect (degrees).

Individual Files: