[PDF] Revising A Habitat Suitability Model For Spotted Turtles Clemmys Guttata In Upstate New York eBook

Author : Caitlin Dailey
Publisher :
Page : 110 pages
File Size : 27,82 MB
Release : 2017
Category : Clemmys guttata
ISBN :

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"In order to protect threatened and endangered species, their habitat needs to be adequately documented and assessed for conservation planning. The utilization of mapping programs such as ArcGIS can help researchers in determining the most optimal sites for a particular species in a given area. This research revises a previous habitat suitability model by Correa-Berger (2007) for the spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) in nine counties of upstate New York. Using the same initial parameters for the creation of the seed sites and habitat requirements for spotted turtles that Correa-Berger used in his 2007 analysis, the model utilized updated Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) data, added a stream connectivity parameter, and added a calcium carbonate soil parameter in order to improve the model. The initial updated model did not fit well with the historical spotted turtle sightings from the NYSDEC. A second model was created using a simplified seed site methodology, an adjusted road width parameter, and eliminated the use of the DEC classified wetlands. The revised model captured 16 out of 33 turtle sightings within what was considered optimal sites. While the second model was more successful matching the historical spotted turtle sightings compared to the first model, analysis of model misses suggest the model could potentially be improved with the use of a locally created LULC classification using remote sensing techniques, expanding the stream connectivity parameters to include stream health, and using additional soil parameters."--Abstract.

Author : Bryan P. Correa-Berger
Publisher :
Page : 230 pages
File Size : 10,49 MB
Release : 2007
Category : Clemmys guttata
ISBN :

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"Knowledge of species with multiple habitat needs for conservation and species survival planning is scarce. In order to predict areas of habitat suitability and potential future research, suitability modeling is necessary. This research created a GIS_based model to predict habitat suitability potential for the spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) in four counties of western New York. Because of scarce and conflicting information on spotted turtle habitat needs, a survey was sent out to experts that evaluated spotted turtle habitat parameters. The goal of the habitat model was to predict optimal habitat for sustainable spotted turtle populations in an area where viable populations had not been confirmed. The surveys were designed to assign relative values to various habitat parameters and derive qualitative and quantitative information for future field assessment measures. The survey and data collection were based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The method ultimately used for habitat selection was a Hybrid-Deductive approach because of the inductive and deductive reasoning used with scarce and conflicting information on spotted turtle habitat preference. The GIS model selected sites based on an iterative process, resulting in four sites being selected as the 'best' habitat sites, combining survey, literature, and GIS data. Model results were compared to historic state sighting records form the NY DEC ad fit reasonably well in two of the four counties, but the model did not account for populations that seem to prefer atypical habitats, such as ditches. the model also discarded potentially viable sites (based on land cover) minimally impacted by roads. Results also suggest the need for more detailed soil, road, and land cover data to help determine connectivity between potential habitat sites"--Abstract.

Author : Kate Cassim
Publisher :
Page : 90 pages
File Size : 27,6 MB
Release : 2006
Category : Clemmys guttata
ISBN :

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"The spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) is categorized as protected and a species of special concern in New York State. Understanding the habitat use, movement patterns, and life history characteristics of this species will be essential for any future efforts to provide the necessary habitat requirements for their successful recovery and management. Rochester Institute of Technology partnered with the Seneca Park Zoo and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to investigate the release of captive-bred spotted turtles. The goal of this study was to determine the movements, habitat use, survivorship, and growth of the captive-bred spotted turtles in a natural environment. The release of suitable numbers of captive-bred spotted turtles into a proper environment where their habitat and resource needs are met should lead to individual survival and the establishment of a sustainable population. During this study, the majority of turtles were lost due to three major causes, premature battery failure, death due to predation, and death due to starvation. The results showed that the longer an individual was part of the study the more weight they lost (p=