Effect of anthropogenic habitat disturbance on the nesting ecology of the Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta)

In species that lack parental care beyond nesting, the fitness of the mother depends on the selection of a high-quality nest site. Unfortunately, given the importance of nest site selection, anthropogenic habitat degradation continues to decrease the availability of high-quality nest sites. This study focuses on nest-site selection by a population of Endangered Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in a disturbed site with a high amount of human activity and invasive plant species. Logistic regression was used to examine nestsite microhabitat characteristics such as soil composition, moisture, temperature, slope, vegetation type and cover, canopy cover, and distances to water and vegetation. Wood Turtle nest site microhabitat characteristics were also characterized in a protected site and compared to those of the disturbed site using a series of t-tests and χ² tests. Soil composition and a slight slope were the most important factors for Wood Turtle nest-site selection at the disturbed site. Turtles at the disturbed site preferred a high amount of sand and small gravel, with little or no larger gravel or clay. The disturbed site had a higher maximum temperature overall, with an average of 35 °C versus 28 °C at the protected site. The turtles at both sites nested in sandy habitat, while the nests at the protected site had higher moisture content than those at the protected site and lacked gravel. Since is it common for Wood Turtles to use anthropogenic habitat, identifying, protecting, and managing nesting sites are essential to Wood Turtle conservation efforts. To enhance the overall nesting success of these turtles in disturbed areas, artificial nest sites could be judiciously placed and used by the turtles. Artificial nest sites could be managed to improve the nesting success of this Endangered turtle species and, also, potentially reduce adult loss by modifying the upland movements of adult females during the nesting season.