1. Why Did the Turtle Cross the Road?

Abstract

Road ecology studies are beneficial for informing sustainable development plans. Our ecological focus lies in developing crossing structures at five sites in the Kingston area to enable safe turtle crossing during the breeding season from May-September. Locations have been selected based on previous evidence of animal casualties and the potential for culvert construction. The Kingston Society of Conservation Biology hopes to implement a solution, over the course of 3-5 years that has commenced with the installation of turtle crossing signs at all locations and will be completed once culverts are constructed. We will investigate the success of culvert development by other conservation groups in order to determine if this is a viable solution for the four sites being investigated in this study. Our group will propose adjustments to culvert construction and alternate, feasible solutions where conventional culvert development is expected to be ineffective in reducing turtle mortality. This study aims to ensure that culverts will be effective in increasing the safe transfer of turtles between wetland areas. Ultimately, we hope to propose a long-term sustainable solution that will decrease the effects of anthropogenic activities and urbanization on the Kingston turtle population.