Factors affecting spatiotemporal patterns of nest site selection and abundance in diamondback terrapins
Abstract Determining what factors influence the distribution and abundance of wildlife populations is crucial for implementing effective conservation and management actions. Yet, for species with dynamic seasonal, sex‐, and age‐specific spatial ecology, like the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terr...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9866 |
| _version_ | 1797857523969032192 |
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| author | Patricia Levasseur Robert Prescott Mark Faherty Chris Sutherland |
| author_facet | Patricia Levasseur Robert Prescott Mark Faherty Chris Sutherland |
| author_sort | Patricia Levasseur |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Determining what factors influence the distribution and abundance of wildlife populations is crucial for implementing effective conservation and management actions. Yet, for species with dynamic seasonal, sex‐, and age‐specific spatial ecology, like the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin; DBT), doing so can be challenging. Moreover, environmental factors that influence the distribution and abundance of DBT in their northernmost range have not been quantitatively characterized. We investigated proximity to nesting habitat as one potential driver of spatiotemporal variation in abundance in a three‐step analytical approach. First, we used a scale selection resource selection function (RSF) approach based on landcover data from the National Landcover Database (NLCD) to identify the scale at which DBT are selecting for (or avoiding) landcover types to nest. Next, we used RSF to predict areas of suitable nesting habitat and created an index of nest suitability (NSI). Finally, analyzing visual count data using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), we investigate spatiotemporal drivers of relative abundance, with a specific focus on whether similar factors affect offshore abundance and onshore nest site selection. We found the scale of selection for developed and saltmarsh land use classes to be 550 and 600 m and open water land use classes to be 100. Selection was positive for nesting areas proximal to saltmarsh habitat and negative for developed and open water. Expected relative abundance was best explained by the interaction between NSI and day of season, where expected relative abundance was greater within high NSI areas during the nesting season (2.20 individuals, CI: 1.19–3.93) compared to areas of low NSI (1.84 individuals, CI: 1.10–3.10). Our results provide evidence that inferred spatial patterns of suitable nesting habitats explain spatiotemporal patterns of terrapin movement and abundance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T20:58:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f522976f23fd453f9a4395b6e9e5eb0a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T20:58:05Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-f522976f23fd453f9a4395b6e9e5eb0a2023-03-29T14:14:47ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582023-03-01133n/an/a10.1002/ece3.9866Factors affecting spatiotemporal patterns of nest site selection and abundance in diamondback terrapinsPatricia Levasseur0Robert Prescott1Mark Faherty2Chris Sutherland3Department of Environmental Conservation University of Massachusetts‐Amherst Amherst Massachusetts USAMass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Wellfleet Massachusetts USAMass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Wellfleet Massachusetts USADepartment of Environmental Conservation University of Massachusetts‐Amherst Amherst Massachusetts USAAbstract Determining what factors influence the distribution and abundance of wildlife populations is crucial for implementing effective conservation and management actions. Yet, for species with dynamic seasonal, sex‐, and age‐specific spatial ecology, like the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin; DBT), doing so can be challenging. Moreover, environmental factors that influence the distribution and abundance of DBT in their northernmost range have not been quantitatively characterized. We investigated proximity to nesting habitat as one potential driver of spatiotemporal variation in abundance in a three‐step analytical approach. First, we used a scale selection resource selection function (RSF) approach based on landcover data from the National Landcover Database (NLCD) to identify the scale at which DBT are selecting for (or avoiding) landcover types to nest. Next, we used RSF to predict areas of suitable nesting habitat and created an index of nest suitability (NSI). Finally, analyzing visual count data using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), we investigate spatiotemporal drivers of relative abundance, with a specific focus on whether similar factors affect offshore abundance and onshore nest site selection. We found the scale of selection for developed and saltmarsh land use classes to be 550 and 600 m and open water land use classes to be 100. Selection was positive for nesting areas proximal to saltmarsh habitat and negative for developed and open water. Expected relative abundance was best explained by the interaction between NSI and day of season, where expected relative abundance was greater within high NSI areas during the nesting season (2.20 individuals, CI: 1.19–3.93) compared to areas of low NSI (1.84 individuals, CI: 1.10–3.10). Our results provide evidence that inferred spatial patterns of suitable nesting habitats explain spatiotemporal patterns of terrapin movement and abundance.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9866diamondback terrapinnest selectionrelative abundancescale selectionspatiotemporal variationvisual headcount |
| spellingShingle | Patricia Levasseur Robert Prescott Mark Faherty Chris Sutherland Factors affecting spatiotemporal patterns of nest site selection and abundance in diamondback terrapins Ecology and Evolution diamondback terrapin nest selection relative abundance scale selection spatiotemporal variation visual headcount |
| title | Factors affecting spatiotemporal patterns of nest site selection and abundance in diamondback terrapins |
| title_full | Factors affecting spatiotemporal patterns of nest site selection and abundance in diamondback terrapins |
| title_fullStr | Factors affecting spatiotemporal patterns of nest site selection and abundance in diamondback terrapins |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors affecting spatiotemporal patterns of nest site selection and abundance in diamondback terrapins |
| title_short | Factors affecting spatiotemporal patterns of nest site selection and abundance in diamondback terrapins |
| title_sort | factors affecting spatiotemporal patterns of nest site selection and abundance in diamondback terrapins |
| topic | diamondback terrapin nest selection relative abundance scale selection spatiotemporal variation visual headcount |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9866 |
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