A Preliminary Study of Northern Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys Terrapin Terrapin) Nesting Activity in Connecticut
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Authors
Schwendler, James Henry
Issue Date
2025-08-29
Item Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keyword
Alternative Title
Abstract
The Northern Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin) (DBT) is a keystone species within estuary habitats and is responsible for maintaining the saltmarsh ecosystem. The goal for this study is to map DBT nesting locations and examine how habitat management influences nesting location. Sites were sampled by walking transects divided into 100 m x 20 m zones. The zones were then categorized as unmanaged or managed depending on if the vegetation was frequently altered. Any DBT nest found within the transect was characterized by recording vegetation height, plant species diversity, substrate size, soil temperature, and location. All nests were photographed at 2 meters high with a meter square to define the boundary of the nest. The percentage of vegetation cover was determined in Canopeo. A total of 518 nests were documented across three of the five research sites. This study suggests a non-random distribution of nests for sites where nests were observed. Zones that were unmanaged had a greater number of nests than managed zones. There was no difference in vegetation factors between the sites or throughout the nesting season. The highest number of nests was found in the months of June and July near the height of DBT nesting season. This data can be applied to the conservation of the species by informing best practices for managing nesting habitat.