Literaturdatenbank
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Clowes, E. L. (2013). Influences of vegetation on northern diamondback terrapin (malaclemys terrapin terrapin) nest site selection. Unpublished thesis , Ohio University.
Added by: Admin (06 Jan 2014 18:24:15 UTC) |
| Resource type: Thesis/Dissertation BibTeX citation key: anon2013.14987 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Emydidae, Fortpflanzung - reproduction, Habitat - habitat, Malaclemys terrapin, Nordamerika - North America, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises Creators: Clowes Publisher: Ohio University |
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| Abstract |
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The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is an estuarine turtle native to tidal marshes, lagoons, and swamps along the East and Gulf coasts of the United States. In the early 1900s, terrapins were harvested for human consumption almost to extinction, but populations recovered as the demand for terrapin flesh passed (Coker, 1920). Since then, terrapin populations have suffered from other anthropogenic influences including habitat loss, crab pot bycatch and pollution (Butler et al., 2006a). Shoreline development accounts for the majority of diamondback terrapin nesting habitat destruction along the coast. Many waterfront property owners have armored their land against erosion using artificial structures that block female access to nesting habitat. Planting marsh grasses and other estuarine vegetation is an ecological alternative to those methods of shoreline stabilization. This study examines the influence of vegetation on female nest site preference in a Chesapeake Bay population of the Northern Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin). I used vegetation removal in shoreline plots on a man-made island, the Poplar Island Environmental Restoration Project (PIERP), to experimentally determine if female terrapins prefer nest areas covered by vegetation or those with vegetation removed. High nesting activity in manipulated plots compared with little nesting in vegetated control plots suggests that female terrapins prefer to oviposit in open areas. Based on these results, vegetation removal should be considered as a means of maintaining quality terrapin nesting habitat where vegetation is used for shoreline stabilization.
Added by: Admin |