James Lowry*, Cheryl Nushardt Susan Reigler and Omar Attum** Dept. of Biology, Indiana University Southeast, 4201 Grant Line Rd, New Albany, IN 47150 * jamlowry@ius.edu ** FACULTY ADVISOR
Outline Introduction Conservation of Urban Nature Preserves Invasive Species Bush Honeysuckle (BHS) Box Turtle useful model species Methods Site Study Radiotelemetry Data Collection Results Relationship of Bush Honeysuckle Density and Turtle Location Box Turtle use of Artificial Canopy Gaps Management Implications
Conservation value: Last remaining undeveloped habitat in urban area Species of concern People develop appreciation of nature Environmental education Challenges: Habitat Island Vulnerable to invasive species and disturbance Hiking trails Artificial Canopy Gap Avenue for invasive Species to Spread
Invasive Species Bush Honeysuckle Most common invasive plant species of concern Reduce overall biodiversity of native plant species Longer growing seasons Sunlight reduction Changes soil chemistry
Why Box Turtles? Great model species Diet Thermoregulation Species of concern Hard edge mortality Habitat Loss Pet trade
Methods : Study Site Blackacre State Nature Preserve (Louisville, KY) Urban forest secondary growth Study site size 44 hectacres Estimated 100, 000 bush honeysuckle Surrounded by suburban neighborhoods
Methods : Radiotelemetry 10 box turtles affixed with transmitters
Methods : Turtle data collection Environmental: Humidity, Air temperature, and ground temperature Microhabitat: Bush Honeysuckle Density Leaf litter depth Distance to nearest tree (DBH = 20cm) Distance to nearest fallen branch (DBH = 20cm) Canopy Cover densitometer
Do box turtles avoid areas with high bush honeysuckle density? Compared bush honeysuckle density of turtle locations vs. random points (Population level) 110 randomly selected points Map GIS: ArcGIS Spatial Analysis Logistic regression: Dependent variable (turtle location/random )
Are box turtles more likely to occur in the vicinity of hiking trails Compared distance of turtles to nearest hiking trails vs. randomly selected points Turtle locations: GIS Random points : MCP around combined turtle locations, 261 random points within MCP Logistic regression
Results Do box turtles avoid areas with high bush honeysuckle density? 0.3 Density (L. maackii/m2) 0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0 Turtle Location Random Figure 1. A comparison of Bush Honeysuckle density (1 L. maackii?/m 2 ) between turtle locations and random points. Non significant trend, χ² = 2.65, df =1, P = 0.104
Results : Are box turtles more likely to occur in the vicinity of hiking trails 40 35 Distance to Trail (m) 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Turtle Location Random Figure 2. A comparison of distance to hiking trail between turtle locations and 261 random points. Significant trend, χ²= 19.30, df =1, P > 0.001
Box turtles avoid high density of Bush Honeysuckle Thermoregulation Lacks nutritional food source Little to no leaf litter
Box turtles are found near hiking trails Artificial Canopy Openings Thermoregulation
Management of Urban Nature Preserves Suggest BHS affects habitat use of the eastern box turtle Management suggestions BHS free zones Maintain natural canopy gaps Create artificial gaps
Future Analysis Continued Data Collection Microhabitat Season Effects
Summary Introduction Urban Nature Preserve Bush Honeysuckle Box Turtle Methods Site Study Radiotelemetry Data Collection Results Relationship of Bush Honeysuckle Density and Turtle Location Proximity to Hiking Trails Management Implications
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Acknowledgements IUS Kentucky State Nature Preserves BlackAcre State Nature Preserve Evin Carter IPFW Bruce Kingsbury IPFW