Microhabitat Selection and Use by the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene c. carolina) at Purchase Knob, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Meineke EK. 2006. Microhabitat Selection and Use by the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene c. carolina) at Purchase Knob, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Highlands Biological Station. Highlands, North Carolina
A report on findings of a study regarding habitat use and population dynamics of the eastern box turtle involving preferences for vegetation cover type and soil type. Turtle longevity, development, and population growth may be compromised by human development. The purpose of this study was to contribute to knowledge regarding habitat use aand population dynamics of the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina). Tracking data were collected for five individual turtles from June 2006 through October 2006 to assess habitat preference regarding vegetation cover type and soil type. Two turtles appeared to exhibit preferences in cover type. One was considerably associated with successional field habitat, while the other preferred understory forest habitat. Four out of five turtles were found associated with a subset of Wayah Sandy Loam soil. Results are based on one year of data collection; more precise conclusions can be drawn about eastern box turtle habitat selection with data collected over multiple years.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Meineke, Emily
- Date of Issue
- 2006
- Publisher
- Highlands Biological Station
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, Eastern box turtle, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, GRSM-00169, home range, Reptiles, SER, Southeast Region, Terrapene carolina carolina, Turtle