NEAFWA 2018

AUTHORS: Alissa L. Gulette; James T. Anderson; Joseph Hatton; Donald J. Brown - West Virginia University

ABSTRACT. Wetlands serve as habitat for many fish and wildlife species. Substantial historical drainage of wetlands in the United States has been remediated in part by wetland restoration on agricultural lands through the Wetlands Reserve Program, operated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. However, relatively few studies have assessed habitat suitability of restored wetlands for reptiles and amphibians. Aquatic turtles are particularly important components of semi-permanent and permanent wetland ecosystems, where they function as apex predators. In 2016 and 2017, we quantified use of restored wetlands in West Virginia by aquatic turtles, and obtained comparative data from reference wetlands on nearby agricultural lands. Our objectives were to compare habitat characteristics of restored and reference wetlands, and quantify relationships between habitat characteristics and turtle species abundance and population structure. At each wetland, we sampled turtle populations using baited hoop-nets, and we measured habitat characteristics. We collected species, sex, and size data, and recorded presence of ectoparasites from captured turtles. We measured water quality, surrounding land cover type, soil type, canopy cover, proportion of emergent plant cover, and wetland size and depth. Preliminary results show that Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) abundance decreased as percent canopy cover increased but increased as dissolved oxygen in water increased, and Eastern Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) abundance decreased as percent canopy cover increased. No difference in abundance of both species was found between restored and reference wetlands. The results of this study will provide managers with quantitative data on habitat characteristics that maximize suitability of restored wetlands for common aquatic turtles, which can be used to guide future wetland restoration actions.