Riparian habitat dissimilarities in restored and reference streams are associated with differences in turtle communities in the southeastern Piedmont

Published source details Dudley M.P., Ho M. & Richardson C.J. (2015) Riparian habitat dissimilarities in restored and reference streams are associated with differences in turtle communities in the southeastern Piedmont. Wetlands, 35, 147-157.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Create or restore waterways Action Link

Create or restore waterways

A site comparison study in 2009 in 12 streams in North Carolina, USA (Dudley et al. 2015) found that restored streams had similar overall turtle abundance and community composition to pristine stream habitats. Turtle abundance was statistically similar in restored streams (9 turtles/site) compared to pristine streams (4 turtles/site). Overall, turtle communities were statistically similar between restored and pristine streams, although turtle community composition was correlated with habitat characteristics (water quality and habitat structure) that were significantly different between restored and pristine streams (see original paper for details, including abundances of the eight turtle species captured). Turtle abundance and species richness was compared in six restored and six natural, undegraded streams by trapping turtles using hoop nets in May–July 2009 (12 total trap nights/site). Restored streams were in their second to fifth growing season after restoration and shared similar characteristics (see original paper for details of restoration approach). Pristine streams were selected based on biological integrity and proximity to restored streams. Captured turtles were weighed, individually marked (or assessed for distinguishing scars) and released.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)