| Bog turtles are among the most endangered of turtle species in North America. Habitat degradation is a major contributor to their decline. Several studies have investigated bog turtle habitat needs yet important knowledge gaps remain. Here I studied bog turtle habitat at microhabitat and landscape levels to infer drivers of bog turtle habitat suitability within southeastern New York State. A radio-telemetry study of 23 female bog turtles during 2009 revealed selection by bog turtles for Dasiphora fruticosa and Carex spp. cover, high woody stem density, proximity to water, and short vegetation. A landscape-level analysis using bog turtle occurrence records indicated bog turtles inhabit relatively large wetlands within large watersheds with open-canopy vegetation, numerous stream connections, and underlying carbonaceous geology. Results of this study are useful for prioritizing conservation efforts. Further research is needed to investigate bog turtle nest habitat requisites and the mechanisms behind the findings of this study.;Key Words: bog turtle, carbonate, fen, geology, Glyptemys muhlenbergii, landscape ecology, microhabitat selection, New York State, radio-telemetry, watershed hydrology, wetland biogeochemistry... |
