USGS Manatee Population Research - 2004

New Population Analysis

In three studies -- the first comprehensive population analysis published in 9 years --scientists from the USGS, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Mote Marine Laboratory, and the Florida Park Service have documented survival, reproduction, and population growth rates of the endangered Florida manatee. The USGS led studies show populations are growing at healthy rates in two of four regions off Florida's coast, but may be stalled or declining in the remaining regions.

• USGS Press Release <Adobe Acrobat pdf, 136kb>

Runge, M.C., C.A. Langtimm, and W.L. Kendall.  2004. A stage-based model of manatee population dynamics. Marine Mammal Science 20:361-385.

• Abstract (available from the Allen Press, Inc. website)
   
• Complete paper <Adobe Acrobat pdf, 933kb>

Kendall, W.L., C.A. Langtimm, C.A. Beck, and M.C. Runge. 2004.  Capture-recapture analysis for estimating manatee reproductive rates.  Marine Mammal Science 20:424-437.

• Abstract (available from the Allen Press, Inc. website)
   
• Complete paper <Adobe Acrobat pdf, 207kb>

Langtimm, C.A., C.A. Beck, H.H. Edwards, K.J. Fick-Child, B.B. Ackerman, S.L. Barton, and W.C. Hartley.  2004. Survival estimates for Florida manatees from the photo-identification of individuals. Marine Mammal Science 20:438-463.

• Abstract (available from the Allen Press, Inc. website)
   
• Complete paper <Adobe Acrobat pdf, 309kb>