Research Insights

The project will advance scientific understanding of the effect of multiple stressors on aquatic species of interest to the Department of Defense (DoD) and promote the resilience of the spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) under anthropogenic and climate-induced stressors on DoD installations. The relative vulnerability of coastal and inland spotted turtle populations to hydrologic alterations, connectivity, and susceptibility will be evaluated using an interdisciplinary approach composed of laboratory, field, and model work. The spotted turtle is currently under review for federal listing. All populations are vulnerable under climate scenarios that reduce wetland hydroperiod. Coastal populations are additionally vulnerable to wetland loss and saltwater intrusion from sea level rise and overwash during major storm events. Thus, hydrology is considered the major climate-induced stressor. Landscape stressors include distance to other suitable wetlands, road density, woody encroachment, and accessibility to potential poaching – a major threat to the species. Field work will focus on turtle movement, population surveys, quantifying stressors at occupied sites, collecting blood samples for measurement of chemical stressors and characterizing turtle health. Lab work will test the effects of salinity and temperature on physiological and immune responses in turtles. The omics-based assays will be conducted on a subset of biological samples collected from the field survey and controlled lab experiments. Our proposal will improve fundamental understanding of how multiple stressors interact to affect the resilience of spotted turtle populations. In addition to providing baseline population data for monitoring future trends, our work would quantify stressors and identify which stressors spotted turtles are most sensitive to, helping prioritize management actions and best management practices (BMPs) for the species.

Funder: U.S. Department of Defense 

Amount: $2,208,377 

PI: Tracey Tuberville, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources