Effects of landscape composition, habitat features, and nest distribution on predation rates of simulated turtle nests

Marchand, M; Litvaitis, John A.

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2003.07.003

Cited by 96 publications

(104 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Even if no development occurs within the core areas we defined, subsidized predators originating from urban or suburban areas can penetrate a protected area, although predation patterns are not always easily discerned (Marchand andLitvaitis, 2004, Strickland andJanzen, 2010). In addition, turtles may have a preferred nesting site around a particular wetland (e.g., Lindeman, 1992;Schwarzkopf and Brooks, 1987) or be restricted to a particular nesting area that is within or beyond the core area designations we have identified.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Terrestrial habitat requirements of nesting freshwater turtles

Steen

Gibbs

Buhlmann

et al. 2012

Biological Conservation

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Because particular life history traits affect species vulnerability to development pressures, cross-species summaries of life history traits are useful for generating management guidelines. Conservation of aquatic turtles, many members of which are regionally or globally imperiled, requires knowing the extent of upland habitat used for nesting. Therefore, we compiled distances that nests and gravid females had been observed from wetlands. Based on records of > 8000 nests and gravid female records compiled for 31 species in the United States and Canada, the distances that encompass 95% of nests vary dramatically among genera and populations, from just 8 m forMalaclemys to nearly 1400 m for Trachemys. Widths of core areas to encompass varying fractions of nesting populations (based on mean maxima across all genera) were estimated as: 50% coverage = 93 m, 75% = 154 m, 90% = 198 m, 95% = 232 m, 100% = 942 m. Approximately 6-98 m is required to encompass each consecutive 10% segment of a nesting population up to 90% coverage; thereafter, ca. 424 m is required to encompass the remaining 10%. Many genera require modest terrestrial areas (zones) for 95% nest coverage (Actinemys, Apalone, Chelydra, Chrysemys, Clemmys,Glyptemys, Graptemys, Macrochelys, Malaclemys, Pseudemys, Sternotherus), whereas other genera require larger zones (Deirochelys, Emydoidea, Kinosternon, Trachemys). Our results represent planning targets for conserving sufficient areas of uplands around wetlands to ensure protection of turtle nesting sites, migrating adult female turtles, and dispersing turtle hatchlings. Our results represent planning targets for conserving sufficient areas of uplands around wetlands to ensure protection of turtle nesting sites, migrating adult female turtles, and dispersing turtle hatchlings.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Terrestrial habitat requirements of nesting freshwater turtles

Steen

Gibbs

Buhlmann

et al. 2012

Biological Conservation

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“…In particular, density-dependent processes may be important. If predators actively search for prey primarily in areas of high prey density, per capita predation risk may be higher in these areas (Keyser et al 1998;Lariviere & Messier 1998;Marchand & Litvaitis 2004). On the other hand, risk could be reduced through dilution effects if predators under-match prey abundance ( Foster & Treherne 1981;Inman & Krebs 1987).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting species interactions from edge responses: mongoose predation on hawksbill sea turtle nests in fragmented beach habitat

et al. 2008

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Because species respond differently to habitat boundaries and spatial overlap affects encounter rates, edge responses should be strong determinants of spatial patterns of species interactions. In the Caribbean, mongooses (Herpestes javanicus) prey on hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) eggs. Turtles nest in both open sand and vegetation patches, with a peak in nest abundance near the boundary between the two microhabitats; mongooses rarely leave vegetation. Using both artificial nests and hawksbill nesting data, we examined how the edge responses of these species predict the spatial patterns of nest mortality. Predation risk was strongly related to mongoose abundance but was not affected by nest density or habitat type. The product of predator and prey edge response functions accurately described the observed pattern of total prey mortality. Hawksbill preference for vegetation edge becomes an ecological trap in the presence of mongooses. This is the first study to predict patterns of predation directly from continuous edge response functions of interacting species, establishing a link between models of edge response and species interactions.

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“…The effects of habitat alteration may be more apparent for turtle species because their life history consists of delayed sexual maturity and low reproductive success (Brooks et al 1991;Congdon et al 1993Congdon et al , 1994Lovich 1995). However, elements of human-altered landscapes, such as lawns and gardens in residential and commercial areas, can be productive nesting habitats (Joyal et al 2001;Klemens 1993;Linck et al 1989;Marchand and Litvaitis 2004b). Taken together, these characteristics can influence population structure of turtle communities found in urban landscapes (Bodie 2001;Ryan et al 2008;Steen and Gibbs 2004).…”

Section: Conservation and Management Implications In Urban Landscapesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the potential negative impacts of urbanization on the biology and population structure of turtle communities can be profound and diverse (Marchand and Litvaitis 2004a;Ryan et al 2008;Steen and Gibbs 2004). Altered features common to urban areas such as roads, increased land use, and subsidized predators are known to impact the distribution, population demographics, and spatial ecology of turtle communities (Marchand and Litvaitis 2004b;Steen and Gibbs 2004;Sterrett et al 2011). Previously, we have shown that the distribution of upland habitats surrounding a highly urbanized wetland habitat in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA influences the distribution of red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta) and map turtles (Graptemys geographica) during both the active season and during hibernation (Ryan et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Movement and habitat use of the snapping turtle in an urban landscape

et al. 2013

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In order to effectively manage urban habitats, it is important to incorporate the spatial ecology and habitat use of the species utilizing them. Our previous studies have shown that the distribution of upland habitats surrounding a highly urbanized wetland habitat, the Central Canal (Indianapolis, IN, USA) influences the distribution of map turtles (Graptemys geographica) and red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta) during both the active season and hibernation. In this study we detail the movements and habitat use of another prominent member of the Central Canal turtle assemblage, the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina. We find the same major upland habitat associations for C. serpentina as for G. geographica and T. scripta, despite major differences in their activity (e.g., C. serpentina do not regularly engage in aerial basking). These results reinforce the importance of recognizing the connection between aquatic and surrounding terrestrial habitats, especially in urban ecosystems.

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Effects of landscape composition, habitat features, and nest distribution on predation rates of simulated turtle nests

Cited by 96 publications

References 42 publications

Terrestrial habitat requirements of nesting freshwater turtles

Terrestrial habitat requirements of nesting freshwater turtles

Predicting species interactions from edge responses: mongoose predation on hawksbill sea turtle nests in fragmented beach habitat

Movement and habitat use of the snapping turtle in an urban landscape

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