Turtle Research at Eagle Marsh

​One of the many things I like about being involve in LRWP’s Eagle Marsh is the opportunity to participate in citizen science. This month that means participating in Purdue University Fort Wayne lead field research on turtles. Eagle Marsh is an 800-acre restored wetland preserve. It has several different ecologies and animal and plant communities. Because it is part of multiple bird migration pathways over 250 species of birds can be spotted at the preserve. The marsh is also home to muskrat, beaver, otter, mink, racoon, skunk, and deer. However, this is a wetland and turtles are an important part of the ecosystem.
 
 Purdue University Fort Wayne has directed two turtle studies at the marsh over a period of four weeks. The first study, the Eagle Marsh Turtle Project, monitored the turtle populations at Eagle Marsh. It surveyed turtle populations and health. The second study, the one I served on, was an extension of the first study. It measured the possible impact novelty traps may have on turtle behavior.
 
The research, methodology, data collection, and interpretation of data was coordinated by Dr. Mark Jordan. Professor Jordan is the chair of the Department of Biology at Purdue University Fort Wayne.
 
The person who coordinated volunteers, set the traps, and gathered the data was Purdue undergraduate student Autumn Straessle. Autumn is a senior biology major. Her areas of interest include Conservation and Environmental Health. Her long-term goals are to pursue research opportunities and perhaps go to veterinarian school. However, this summer is also an intern at Eagle Marsh. As an intern she works to limit invasive species, trims trails, transplants seedlings, and maintains equipment.
 
Turtles are found in every continent except Antarctica. However, the United States has more species of turtle than any other nation followed by Mexico. Indigenous peoples of North America refer to the continent as Turtle Island. I always thought that was because of the shape of the continent. I now wonder if it is also because of the original abundance of turtles.
 
Autumn stressed the important contribution turtles make to the environment. Their eggs provide food for other animals. They in turn help to control fish populations. They help in the spread of aquatic plants and they contribute to the health of the water.
 
Turtles are interesting animals. Water temperature determines the sex of offspring. Many researchers fear that climate change will result in an imbalance in sex distribution resulting in fewer males. Turtles are adaptable. They have adapted to poor water, human encroachment, and destruction of habitat. However, they are not as resilient adapting to increasing global temperatures.
 
Eagle Marsh is home to painted turtles, snapping turtles, soft shelled turtles, and the endangered Blanding’ Turtle. The week I volunteered we captured snapping turtles and painted turtles.
 
For four weeks Autumn would gather up the citizen scientists. She would teach them how to set traps in the water. The traps would be inspected the following day for turtles. The trap depths were measured. A garmin  instrument was used to identify the exact location of each trap. The water temperature was measured. The turtles were brought to shore. The top shell, the carapace was measured, the bottom shell or the plastron was measured. The measurements were recorded. Snapping turtles were also weighed. Each turtle’s sex was determined, and females were checked for eggs. Each turtle was also checked for external parasites.  If the turtle was a new find the shell was coded/marked for future identification. Finally, the turtles were photographed and then released.
 
At the end of each shift each research participant would wash down their waders and then spray them with a diluted bleach cleanser. This was to protect the marsh from possible snake fungus disease. At the end of the week each trap was also cleaned and sprayed to prevent the spread of any fungal disease.
 
There were different volunteers, citizen scientists, each day. A number were repeat volunteers. The volunteers ranged from college students, young adults, nature enthusiasts, to retirees. The turtle research is just one of the many research projects that take place at Eagle Marsh and around Northeast Indiana. Other research has included monitoring beaver, otters, nests, and bats. Next week I look forward to being trained to monitor Monarch butterflies. These are difficult decades for the health of our planet. It is encouraging to witness the coordination of institutions, nature sites, and volunteers working together for the benefit of the environment. Observing the calm, methodical direction of Autumn and the joy she provided left me with a sense of hope.