: Re: In scientific writing, what is the protocol for shortening nouns? I often see place or species names shortened in scientific journal articles and would like to know what the correct protocol

@Caterina108

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Precision is more important than word count!
Don't abbreviate just for having fewer words.
Also, follow the conventions of specific fields. For scientific nomenclature, for example, genus name can be abbreviated to one letter when the genus is understood:
P. semiperverens, P. australis and P. aromata are found only in North America.
The examples in the question, in my mind, are not ideal. Using generic terms is better than using truncated terms. In other words, I'd shorten "Gough Island" to "the island" on subsequent mentions, and use "turtles" rather than "leatherbacks."
However, there are much worse examples of abbreviations used in technical and academic writing, so use whatever you prefer without resorting to non-words -- like "LT" for "leatherback turtle."
As always, check a reliable style guide for particular fields of study and organizations. Check Strunk & White for the best overview of clear, concise writing.

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