Sand Compaction Impact On Burrowing Preferences of the Atlantic Ghost Crab in Padre Island National Seashore, Texas.

This poster reports on a study of the burrowing preferences of the ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata) as it relates to beach compaction in Padre Island National Seashore, Texas. Compaction is the result of both pedestrian trampling and vehicular traffic. Data on burrow size and number was collected at a series of field sites representing a variety of compaction environments. Results show a measurable human effect on both the size and number of ghost crab burrows.