UW - RIVER FALLS

Blanding’s Turtle

(Emydoidea blandingii)

Management Plan Clapp WPA, St. Croix Wetland Management District

Michelle Williams, Andrew Usher, and Carlye Morris

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Table of Contents

Introduction ……………….3

Literature Review of Life History ……………….4

Literature Review of Past Management Techniques ....…………….6

Description of Management Area ……………….9

Management Plan ..…………….17

Budget .……………..20

Ecotourism .……………..21

Conclusion ...……………21

Works Consulted ......………….22

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Introduction

Our location is the Clapp Waterfowl Production Area, a part of the St. Croix Wetland

Management District between Hudson and Roberts. Waterfowl Production Areas are expanses of

land that are either public land or private land protected through easement programs that are

under the control of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These lands are carefully managed and

provide habitat for all types of wildlife that live in wetland environments. They are open to the

public for bird watching, other wildlife observation, and sometimes hunting. (Waterfowl

Production Areas) Western Wisconsin, through Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota,

Northern Montana and up into Canada makes up the Prairie Pothole Region, an area rich with

wetlands. Wetlands are very beneficial to the environment and are home to a large percentage of

Wisconsin and Minnesota’s wildlife, including the Blanding’s Turtle, Emydoidea blandingii. In

Minnesota the Blanding’s Turtle is threatened (Emydiodea, MNDNR). In Wisconsin the

Blanding’s Turtle sits at an average population density of 28 individuals per hectare (van

Dijk&Rhodin) and has been taken off of the threatened list but is still at a “protected” status

(Blanding’s Turtle, WIDNR). Protected and well-managed lands like Waterfowl Production

Areas are important for species like the Blanding’s Turtle because they provide a place free of

human interference allowing the species to make a comeback.

Social/Political Justifications

Like other small aquatic and semi-aquatic species, such as fish and frogs, turtles are aesthetically

pleasing to many people. Many Blanding’s Turtles are taken from their habitats and kept as pets,

ultimately causing a decrease in population because they are not properly cared for (Novia

Scotia). If the public was educated further on how they are directly impacting the population of

these turtles there could be a possible increase in volunteer efforts to help improve Blanding’s

Turtle habitats and create protected areas. If more volunteer efforts were made to bring the

population up to a safe level, people would eventually be able to keep Blanding’s Turtles as pets

legally, like the Painted Turtle and various other turtle species.

Economic Justifications

Many people who are passionate about Herptiles and endangered species could be a very

important part of the economic aspect of increasing Blanding’s Turtle populations. Through

habitat management and population increase of the Blanding’s Turtle, state governments could

bring in revenue through tourism by offering a chance for people to see healthy Blanding’s

Turtle populations in their natural, historic habitats.

Environmental Justifications

Because turtles and other reptiles are sensitive to their surroundings they can be excellent

indicator species for the environment. If their habitat is unhealthy, their individual health will

also deteriorate and reflect the health status of their surrounding environment (Cosley Zoo). This

could help environmental scientists study climate change by partnering with wildlife biologists.

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Blanding’s Turtles are also crucial to environmental well-being because they are consumers that

are not detrimental to other wildlife populations and are also producers in their habitat. They feed

at several levels of the food chain and will not exhaust one specific species with their feeding

habits, and although it is a large part of the reason Blanding’s Turtles are threatened, their eggs

and hatchlings also provide food for larger mammalian and avian predators (Novia Scotia).

Literature Review of Species Life History

General Characteristics

The Blanding’s Turtle is a medium to large size turtle ranging in size from 7-10 inches. Its shell

is slightly elongated and is black or dark brown on top speckled with pale yellow. The bottom

half of its shell is pale yellow with black or dark brown patches all along the edge (Blanding’s

Turtle, WIDNR). They are most identifiable by their bright yellow chin, which gives the turtle

the appearance of a permanent “smile” (Novia Scotia). The difference between males and

females is that males are slightly larger and have a somewhat concave lower shell to make

mating easier. They reach sexual maturity at 17 to 20 years, the slowest of any other Wisconsin

turtle (Blanding’s Turtle, WIDNR), and they can live to be at least 70 years old (Novia Scotia).

Range

The current range of the Blanding’s Turtle is southwestern Quebec and southern Ontario, to

Minnesota and Nebraska, and central Illinois. Some small populations are present in Wisconsin

and in eastern New York, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Nova Scotia. The largest

populations reside in Nebraska and Minnesota (Novia Scotia). On average, the population of

these turtles seems to be declining, and it is estimated that 30-50% of suitable habitat has been

lost in the past few decades (van Dijk&Rhodin). The size of habitat used by the Blanding’s

Turtle varies depending the span of time measured. In Wisconsin, Blanding’s turtles have an

average habitat area requirement of .7 hectares, or about 1.7 acres per individual

(Congdon&Keinath).

Breeding Habits

Mating between Blanding’s Turtles is carried out anytime between April and November, but

usually in the spring (Blanding’s Turtle, WIDNR). In some regions, such as Novia Scotia,

mating happens all year round. Mating takes place in the water (Novia Scotia). Females create

their nests in late May to early July (Blanding’s Turtle, WIDNR). The turtles choose to nest in

sand and soil. During the nesting process, which can last 1 to 7 hours, females dig the nests with

their hind feet to a depth of 3 to 6 inches. 5 to 15 eggs are laid in each clutch and the female

leaves the nest up to fate. The incubation period for the eggs is around 90 days. Blanding’s

Turtles are unique because the temperature the eggs are incubated at determines the sex of the

hatchlings. Eggs kept at or below 77 degrees Fahrenheit will hatch almost all males and eggs

kept at or above 86 degrees Fahrenheit will hatch almost all females. (Novia Scotia).

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Habitat Requirements

Historically, Blanding’s Turtles lived specifically in prairie marsh habitats but now live in both

prairie and forested areas (Novia Scotia). They prefer shallow, slow-moving water full of

submergent and emergent vegetation (Blanding’s Turtle, WIDNR) with deep, organic sediments.

They require habitats that can support organisms that make up their diet, such as frogs in each

stage of life, insect larvae, snails, leeches, and small fish. The Blanding’s Turtle also scavenges

for certain plants and seeds. Habitats with these prime characteristics include shallow lakes,

ponds, fens, marshes, low fields, creeks, flooded ditches, and bogs (Novia Scotia). In mid-

October the turtles begin their overwintering period, during which they will stay emerged in the

water and beneath ice, if it is present, until mid-March. Blanding’s turtles require deeper water to

spend the overwinter in and would not survive the winter otherwise (Emydiodea, MNDNR).

During overwintering they do not move much (Blanding’s Turtle, WIDNR) and reside in muddy

bottom of their chosen water body (Emydiodea, MNDNR).

Decimating Factors

Decimating factors, which directly kill individuals and quickly reduce population, consist of

predation of hatchlings, road accidents, and turtles being taken as pets (Novia Scotia).

Due to small clutch sizes and a long span of sexual immaturity in the Blanding’s turtle, hatchling

predation can be a very detrimental decimating factor. According to a study done by the

University of Michigan on the E.S. George Reserve, it was observed that over a span of 23 years

nest predation ranged from 40 all the way up to 100 percent. Nests are most at risk when eggs are

freshly laid, 24-48 hours after deposition into nest, because the mother turtle’s scent draws

predators to the area. The most common predators of Blanding’s turtle eggs are raccoons, foxes,

skunks, shrews, chipmunks, and other burrowing mammals. However eggs are also occasionally

consumed by crows, ants, and maggots. In contrast to eggs, hatchlings are eaten by an even

larger spectrum of predators which include opossums, snakes, bullfrogs, and various birds of

prey in addition to the previously mentioned predators.

Road mortality is also one of the biggest contributors to population decline of the Blanding’s

Turtle. Females travel long distances to find adequate nesting sites and often are faced with roads

intersecting their path. In addition to being hit by cars and trucks, turtles have also been hit and

killed by farming equipment and have gotten stuck in fences that border roads.

Travelers on the roadways also pick up turtles off of the road and remove them from their natural

habitat to keep as pets. Humans also remove hatchlings and eggs from discovered nests to keep

or sell as pets (Congdon&Keinath).

Welfare Factors

Lack of Welfare factors, which are necessary for the survival and well-being of animal, include

habitat loss due to urban sprawl resulting in poor nesting sites and conditions(Novia Scotia), and

salt runoff from I-94 reducing amphibian populations, a food source of the Blanding’s Turtle

(Karraker et al).

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Two researchers from the University of Massachusetts determined that residential development

in natural Blanding’s turtle habitats due to urban sprawl is one of the main reasons for

Blanding’s turtle population decline (Jones&Sievert). Hatchling survival rates at two types of

nesting areas where compared, one type of nesting site fragmented by residential developments

and the other a former military base that had been abandoned for twelve years. Thirteen percent

of hatchlings died at the residential nesting areas in contrast to the area untouched by humans,

where all hatchlings survived. Also, because of the increase in human influence in the disturbed

residential areas, chipmunk populations increased. Chipmunks are predators of Blanding’s turtle

eggs as well as hatchlings, turning a decimating factor back into a welfare factor.

Another factor that indirectly leads to the population decline of the Blanding’s turtle is reduction

of food sources. In Wisconsin especially, de-icing salt is needed to keep the roads maintained in

the winter months. In fragmented habitats of the Blanding’s turtle there can be many roads

cutting through and intersecting sections of land. The effects of road salt on amphibians that live

in spring pools as well as permanent wetlands, one of the main staples of the Blanding’s turtle’s

diet, have been studied (Karraker et al). Amphibians have very sensitive and permeable skin

which makes them far more susceptible to environmental changes than other types of wetland

and forest animals. Amphibian populations that lived closer to roads, and ultimately salt runoff,

were observed to have lower density egg masses and lower rates of survival in egg and larval

stages. Salt can also leach into the soil and lead to the reduction of certain plant species that are

not salt resistant (Jull). This may lead to a decline in another part of the Blanding’s turtle’s food

sources.

Limiting Factor

The limiting factor is defined as “the presence of one particular decimating factor or lack of one

welfare factor that outweighs all the others in pulling down the population growth curve”. In the

case of the Blanding’s turtle the limiting factor on our property is urban sprawl. It is a

combination of a welfare factor, depletion of adequate living conditions and proper nesting sites,

and a decimating factor, a high number of road fatalities. Even though the Clapp WPA is a

protected area, the nearby town, Roberts, and other rural communities will continue to build up

around it.

Literature Review of Past Management Techniques

Overview

Past management techniques use a lot of wetland restoration and management along with the use

mortality prevention in areas of known high turtle activity.

Surveys

There are a few program set in place by the DNR to help them get a better idea of turtle

populations, locations, and where the highest areas of injury and death are for the turtles. These

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programs use volunteers who go online and fill out turtle sighting and mortality forms (WIDNR

2014). These surveys can also give them a better idea of areas that may need to have structures

and preventive measures added to help keep the turtle from harm.

Restoration of Wetlands

There are many ways that past management plans have gone about restoring wetlands. Some of

these things include but are not limited to water control structures like spill ways and invasive

plant species control through the use of herbicides, mowing, and burning (WIDNR 2014).

According to G.M Carrer et. al (2011) water control structures can be a very effective way to

manage a wetland area epically where there may be a possibility of pollution due to agricultural

activities. These water control structures can also be beneficial to helping to reduce the level of

pollution and sediments present in the water within the wetland (Carrer 2011).

Invasive Plant Species Control

Burning can be done in the spring or the fall and can be an effective way to not only put nutrients

back into the soil but also to help control invasive plant species that cannot withstand fires. The

timing of the burning along with how often an area is burned can help increase the native plant

species diversity of a prairie along with decreasing the number of invasive species growing in the

area (Pendergrass 1999). Chemicals have also been used by selectively spraying certain invasive

plant species before they go to seed to prevent them from spreading any farther in the area.

According to research done by Bahm et al. herbicides especially when paired with other

management strategies like burning can be a very effective way to restore native prairie plants

while keeping invasive plants under control. Mowing and haying like herbicides have been used

in the prevention of invasive plants from going to seed and spreading any farther into the area. It

has been proven that a combination of burning and mowing can have positive effect on the roots

of native prairie plants by causing the plants to increase their root masses at different levels

below the soil (Kitchen 2008).

Restoration of Nesting Sites

Blanding’s Turtles tend to nest in habitats with disturbed ground or sandy soil (WIDNR 2014).

Due to this habit their nests often end up in areas that expose them to disturbances from

predators, people and many other harmful factors. This can lead to problems for the turtle

because these nesting sites will sometimes be on the side of roads or similar places that put them

in close contact with danger (WIDNR 2014). Slit fencing is put up at construction sites that are

known areas that the turtle may migrate to prevent them from nesting there (WIDNR).

According to a study done by Dowling et. al (2010) Blanding’s Turtles where given an option of

three different nesting sites. The sites were either tilled, mowed, or hand weeded. The results of

the study showed that most of the turtles choose to nest in the tilled site. In order to prevent the

turtles from ending up in places that may threaten them or their nests, work is being done to keep

natural nesting sites clear. This will allow the turtle’s access to the sites that had been previously

over grown. It will also help prevent the regrowth of under brush and trees that the turtle finds

undesirable for a nesting habitat (WIDNR 2014).

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Turtle Barriers

When constructing roads in areas that are known to have high turtle activity certain types of

curbs like s or d curbs allows the turtles to cross without getting trapped on the road

way(WIDNR 2014). There is also the consideration of placing fences along areas that are known

to have turtle activity to prevent them from making an attempt to cross the road (MNDNR 2014).

There have also been measures taking to make sure that culvert openings are small enough so the

turtles cannot fall into them (MNDNR 2014).

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Description of Management Area

Our location is the Clapp Waterfowl Production Area, a part of the St. Croix Wetland

Management District between Hudson and Roberts. Waterfowl Production Areas are expanses of

land that are either public land or private land protected through easement programs that are

under the control of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They are carefully managed and provide

habitat for all types of wildlife that live in wetland environments. The Clapp WPA is open to the

public for bird watching, other wildlife observation, and sometimes hunting.

Figure 1: Clapp WPA, St. Croix Wetland Management District

We will be focusing mainly on the larger pond between I-94 and Regal Ridge road. The

surrounding vegetation is mainly Hardwood forest and native lake-side emergent plants.

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Soil Map

Figure 2: Soil map for Clapp WPA

Source: National Cooperative Soil Survey, Web Soil Survey

84% of the soil profile contained in the northern hardwood stands and rolling prairies consist of

Burkhardt-Sattre complex (sandy loam). They are excessively drained and eroded. The native

vegetation was mostly prairie grasses. Soils within 50 yards of standing water consist of

fluvaquents (flood plain soils that retain water moist year-round.

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Forest Cover Map

Figure 3: Forest cover map for Clapp WPA

Source: Google Earth

Land to the East and West of the wetland pond consists of Savanna and rolling prairie habitat.

Directly to surrounding the wetland pond are Hardwood stands to the East and West

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Management Area Landscape Pictures

Figure 4. The Eastern Prairie Unit consists of a variety

of forbs, wild rye grasses, sumac, cedar trees and

pockets of northern hardwood trees.

Figure 5. The Western Prairie Unit contains many of

the same native species of plants and trees as the

Eastern Unit.

Figure 6. Soils within 50 yards of standing water

consist of fluvaquents (flood plain soils that retain

water moist year-round.

Figure 7. 84% of the soil profile contained in the

northern hardwood stands and rolling prairies consist

of Burkhardt-Sattre complex (sandy loam) soils.

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Figure 8. The wetlands surrounding the upper and

lower ponds remain saturated year round with water

levels fluctuating depending on annual precipitation.

Figure 9. Extra Photo

Figure 10. The edges of the hardwood forest end

abruptly at the waterfront along the eastern shore of

the southern pond.

Figure 11. This is a vantage point of the northern pond

looking to the south toward interstate I-94. A large

beaver den is noted in the middle of the image.

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Figure 12. The southern pond looking to the north. This vantage point provides a unique view of the entire

wetland area of the management area. The left shore of the pond transitions from wetland to hardwood forest

that leads up a large, steeply elevated hill that provides shelter from prevailing winds and has direct sunlight all

day. The vegetation road salt block would be located along the shoreline on this edge of the pond.

Figure 13. The eastern hardwood stand breaks the edges of the eastern side of the wetland and the

eastern Prairie Unit. From left to right, the photo shows the break in vegetation leading to the lower

pond, the hardwoods stand, and the clearing of the eastern Prairie Unit in the upper right hand corner.

Figure 14. The upper pond contains several small channels created by waterfowl that lead to nesting

areas in the eastern section of the Prairie Unit and the lower pond. The upper pond is shallow and

thermally adequate for seasonal mating, foraging for semi-aquatic bugs and small fish and, contains

several emerging logs that provide good basking habitat.

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Existing Flora of Management Area

Existing Flora on site

Trees Woodland and Pond Plants Prairie Plants

White Cedar Willows Sumac

Black Oak Burreed Brome

Northern Pin Oak Arrowhead Wild Rye

American Elm Wild Rye Various forbs

Eastern Cottonwood Reed Grasses Big and Little Blue Stem

Burr Oak Buckthorn Sedges

Trembling Aspen Nettle

Large Toothed Aspen Woody understory

Figure 15:

Top Left: common leaf litter featured on the site.

Top Right: Grasses along the wetland.

Bottom Left: Forested understory along the south East edge of the

Wetland.

Bottom Right: Yellow Arigope spider with its web among the prairie

grasses and sumac plants.

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Existing Fauna of Management Area

Existing Fauna on Site

Birds Mammals Reptiles and Amphibians

Trumpeter Swan Whitetail Deer Blanding’s Turtle

Blue Jay Grey Fox Northern Leopard Frog

Easter Meadowlark Coyote Painted Turtle

Northern Harrier Cottontail Rabbit Snapping Turtle

American Robin American Beaver Common Garter Snake

Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Grey Squirrel Bullfrog

American Coot Fox Squirrel Copes Gray Tree Frog

Greater Canadian Goose Red Squirrel Gray Tree Frog

American Crow Thirteen Lined Ground Squirrel Green Frog

Eastern Wild Turkey Pocket Gopher Blue Spotted Salamander

Red Headed Woodpecker Red Fox Eastern Tiger Salamander

Northern Goshawk Short tailed Weasel Pine Snake

Pheasant Raccoon Fox Snake

Tree Swallow Opossum Timber Rattle Snake

Figure 16:

Top Left: Mating Pair Trumpeter Swans on the St. Croix River near

Prescott, WI.

Top Right: Whitetail Buck moving during the rut at the management site.

Bottom Left: Nocturnal movement of a Grey Fox at the management site.

Bottom Right: Eastern Wild Turkey commonly found on site.

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Management Plan

3 Units of Clapp WPA:

Management Goals

1. Maintain prairie pothole and marsh habitat health

2. Switch focus of area from waterfowl hunting to representation of historic prairie pothole

region

3. Implement certain structures to better support turtle habitat needs

4. Improve nesting sites

5. Establish nest incubation temperature variety

6. Decrease salt runoff from nearby highway into wetland

Schedule of Management Activities

Year one

Divide the WPA into 3 units: Pond unit, Prairie Pothole unit, and Rolling Prairie unit.

In late fall, capture and radio tag existing turtle population in order to track and record

nesting sites for future nesting habitat implements.

On the Pond Unit, construct structures to support turtle habitat needs such as permanent

basking apparatuses like anchored logs or rocks. These structures will also provide cover

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and shade for fish populations which are a food source for the Blanding’s Turtle.

Structures will be placed on the west side of the water body because the hill will block

the wind and provide the warmest spot for basking.

Use past snowfall and flooding records for all three units to estimate nesting sites that

may need future flood control.

Observe, record, and mark where the turtles nest naturally in the first year. If there are no

sexually mature individuals, or sexually mature individuals but no complete breeding

pairs present already in the habitat, introduce two breeding pairs in late March at the

beginning of the breeding season.

Observe and record other aquatic animals and fish in the water body, record any invasive

aquatic species that may influence aquatic invertebrate or fish populations.

Plant salt tolerant shrubbery, such as Northern Bayberry or Sargent Juniper, that grows in

zone 4a, in which St. Croix County is included, along the border between the property

and the interstate I-94.

Area of focus for basking structures and road-salt block:

Observe and record nesting trends for years two, three and four in order to obtain enough

information to proceed with management plans.

Year Five

At observed nesting areas in mid-March right before the breeding season, till and disturb

sand or soil with Rototiller to create a more favorable nesting area that is easier for the

turtles to dig into to lay their eggs.

Also at observed nesting areas, take average temperatures of the nests after the eggs are

buried in late May to early July, throughout the incubation period. When the eggs hatch

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after about 90 days, record the sex of the hatchlings in relation to the average temperature

of the soil at the depth where they were incubated.

Make sure basking structures are still in good condition, repair as needed.

Radio tag young turtles as they hatch in order to track behavior such as movement in

habitat area throughout the day.

If invasive aquatic invertebrates or plants are observed in years one, two, three, or four

take measures to combat these species through either introduction of species that will

naturally combat the invasives or physical removal of invasive species.

Maintain salt-tolerant road-block vegetation.

For years six, seven, eight and nine, continue to observe temperature of nests in relation to sex of

hatchlings. Continue to till/disturb sites right before nesting time. And continue to repair basking

structures as needed.

Year Ten

From the information obtained through the nest temperature vs. hatchling sex

observations, determine if there is an over abundance of females or an over abundance of

males. If the nests are too cold and are producing only male hatchlings, select half of the

nests to apply methods that will keep the nests warmer during incubation to produce and

equal number of female hatchlings in relation to the male hatchlings. Possible nesting

ground insulation methods include plant residue and mulch.

Make sure basking structures and bridge are still in good condition, repair as needed.

Continue to monitor potential invasive species populations and control.

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For years eleven through nineteen, continue to implement practices established in year ten.

Year twenty

As first generation of hatchlings born into the managed habitat reach sexual maturity,

monitor and record nesting site choice, nest temperatures, and hatchling sex.

Otherwise, continue the same management techniques practiced in years ten through

nineteen.

Budget

Expanses Rates Quantity Cost

Rocks $80.00 8 $640.00

Walk way construction $2.90 36 $104.00

Tiller $349.00 1 $349.00

Gas 2.70 (subject to

change)

10 $27.00

Gas Can $19.98 2 $39.96

Plants (Northern Bay

Berry)

$10.00 20 $200.00

Plants (Sargent

Juniper)

$11.00 20 $220.00

Total Cost: $1579.96

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Ecotourism

This wildlife area will give many people who love animals and the outdoors the opportunity to

get close with nature and see many animals that most wouldn’t see in a normal day. Since there

will be a walking way placed across the main water body this will give people the chance to go

on a nice walk with their family and friends. During this walk they will get to see many animals

and plants that are native species only to prairie pothole ecosystems. This prairie pothole region

will also be a great place for people who enjoy birding to come and watch many of the native

bird species. Since there is a grassland prairie, a wooded area, and a body of water all present in

the same location giving the ecosystem a great amount of habitat diversity. This will give rise to

a very large diversity of bird species that will be found throughout the property. Another activity

that will be of interest to a lot of people will be turtle hatching. Once a steady population has

been setup on the property having volunteers come out to help with the turtle hatching process

will be a great way to get the community involved and aware of some of the animals in the area.

The volunteers will get to help with many things from guiding the turtles from the nest, taking

down genders, tagging, to taking nest temperatures. All of these things will not only be beneficial

to getting people involved and more aware of the wildlife around them but also help to get the

information need to keep the ecosystem in its best condition to benefit everyone.

Observation bridge location and replica:

Conclusion

The average habitat size requirement for Blanding’s turtles in Wisconsin is .7 hectares, or 1.7

acres (Congdon&Keinath). The Clapp WPA consists of 237.9 acres, meaning it could support a

population of up to 139 turtles. However we want the Blanding’s turtle population to thrive

instead of just surviving, so an ideal population would be about 70 individuals for the entire

WPA. Only about 50% of the WPA is covered in pond and marsh habitat though, the rest

consists of rolling prairie. This brings the ultimate population goal down to 35 individual

Blanding’s Turtles for this property.

Replica of bridge type source:

http://www.boutiquehotelspain.co.uk

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Works Consulted

Bahm, Matt A., Thomas G. Barnes, and Kent C. Jensen.“Herbicide and Fire Effects on Smooth

Brome (Bromus inermis) and Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) in Invaded Prairie

Remnants.” Invasive Plant Science and Management. 4.2(2011): 189-197. Web. 18 Nov.

2014.

"Blanding's Turtle." Cosley Zoo. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.

<http://www.cosleyzoo.org/species/blandings_turtle.htm>.

"Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)." Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. WI

DNR, 7 Oct. 2014. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.

Carrer, G.M., M. Bonato, D. Smania, A. Barausse, C. Comis, and L. Palmeri.” Beneficial effects

on water management of simple hydraulic structures in wetland systems: the Vallevecchia

case study, Italy.” Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association

on Water Pollution Research. 64.1 (2011): 220-227. Web. 16 Nov. 2014.

Congdon, Justin D., and Douglas A. Keinath. "Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii): A

Technical Conservation Assessment." U.S. Forest Service. USDA Forest Service, Rocky

Mountain Region, 20 July 2006. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.

Dowling, Zara, Erik Kiviat, Felicia Keesing, and Tanessa Hartwig.” Experimental Management

of Nesting Habitat for the Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea hlandingit).” Ecological Resotration

28 (2010): 154-159. Wed 16 Nov. 2014.

"Emydiodea blandingii." Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. MN DNR, n.d. Web. 18

Nov. 2014.

Jones, Michael T., and Paul R. Sievert. "Elevated Mortality of Hatchling Blanding's Turtles

(Emydoidea blandingii) in Residential Landscapes." Herpetelogical Conservation and

Biology 7.1 (2012): 89-94. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.

Jull, Laura G. "Winter Salt Injury and Salt-tolerant Landscape Plants." Government of Dane

County, Wisconsin. UW Cooperative Extension, 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.

<http://pdf.countyofdane.com/myfairlakes/A3877.pdf>.

Karraker, Nancy E., James P. Gibbs, and James R. Vonesh. "Impacts of Road Deincing Salt on

the Demography of Vernal Pool-Breeding Amphibians." Ecological Applications 18.3 (2008):

724-34. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.

Kitchen, Duane J., John M. Blair, Mac A. Callaham. “Annual fire and mowing alter biomass,

depth distribution, and C and N content of roots and soil in tallgrass prairie.” Plant and Soil.

323(2009): 235-247. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.

Novia Scotia's Blanding's Turtles. Novia Scotia Department of Natural Resources, 30 Mar. 2006.

Web. 9 Nov. 2014. <http://www.speciesatrisk.ca/blandings/index.html>.

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Pendergrass, K.L., P.M. Miller, J.B. Kauffman, and T. N. Kayne.” The Role of Prescribed

Burning in Maintenance of an Endangered Plant Species, Lomatium bradshawii.” Ecological

Society of America. 9.4(1999): 1420-1429. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.

Roadways and Turtles: Solutions for Safety. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Web.

20 Nov. 2014.

<http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/assistance/nrplanning/community/roadsidesforwildlife/road-

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