Great Lakes coastal wetland habitat use by seven turtle species: influences of wetland type, vegetation, and abiotic conditions

摘要: Great Lakes coastal wetlands are important habitats for turtles but few studies have looked at factors driving community structure in these systems. We evaluated the effects of wetland type, vegetation, and abiotic conditions on turtle communities 56 Huron, Michigan, Superior with data collected during summers 2000–2008. Overall, 1,366 representing seven species were captured using fyke nets. For majority species, catches highest drowned river mouth In addition, tended to be more abundant water lilies, submersed aquatic cattails compared bulrush. also found positive correlations between four as well total catch richness a human disturbance gradient. These suggest that may able utilize areas inhospitable fish because hypoxic conditions. Our results show importance turtles, stress need managers take into account populations when preparing conservation restoration strategies.