The bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii) is variously considered to be secretive, uncommon, or threatened with extinction. It has a disjunct distribution in the eastern United States, and populations are restricted to wetlands such as bogs and swamps. The turtle appears to be an omnivore. It is most active in the spring, and the eggs (usually three to five) are laid in late spring or early summer. Sexual maturity in both sexes probably occurs at the plastral length of about 75 mm., when the turtles are 6 to 8 years old. Bog turtles apparently have small home ranges (about 1.3 ha or smaller). Other population features are poorly known. There is concern for the plight of the bog turtle because of the continual loss of wetland habitat and irresponsible collecting. A thorough survey is recommended to delineate the occurrence and abundance of the remaining populations of the species throughout its range.

The bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii) is variously considered to be secretive, uncommon, or threatened with extinction. It has a disjunct distribution in the eastern United States, and populations are restricted to wetlands such as bogs and swamps. The turtle appears to be an omnivore. It is most active in the spring, and the eggs (usually three to five) are laid in late spring or early summer. Sexual maturity in both sexes probably occurs at the plastral length of about 75 mm., when the turtles are 6 to 8 years old. Bog turtles apparently have small home ranges (about 1.3 ha or smaller). Other population features are poorly known. There is concern for the plight of the bog turtle because of the continual loss of wetland habitat and irresponsible collecting. A thorough survey is recommended to delineate the occurrence and abundance of the remaining populations of the species throughout its range.

Written for anyone who works with chemicals or has a general interest in ecology, this book examines the interrelationship of life forms in our environment and provides straightforward explanations about the complicated interactions among nature and humans. Emphasizing basic concepts, definitions, and descriptions, the author presents illustrative problems in terms of commonly used ecological parameters to provide readers with enough information to make technical and personal decisions about ecology. Funneling the broad, multidisciplinary field of ecology, which incorporates aspects of biology, chemistry, physics, geology, meteorology, agriculture, forestry, and more into a single stream, the author provides those with backgrounds in only a handful, or even none, of these disciplines with an easy-to-read understanding of the functions and values of ecology and its interrelationships with other sciences, including ecology's direct impact on our lives. Organized into three parts, this book examines the fundamentals of ecology, the role of biodiversity, and the practical side of ecology. Readers will examine such topics as biogeochemical cycles, ecological pyramids, and the laws of population ecology. They will also examine species, terrestrial ecosystems, and aquatic systems. Each chapter ends with a Chapter Review Test.

The definitive resource for finding, identifying, and conserving Maryland’s amphibians and reptiles. Naturalists, herpetologists, and ecologists alike agree that tracking herpetofauna is a challenging undertaking. Scientists are concerned about the decline of once-familiar species, but evidence has often been too anecdotal to support firm conclusions. To better understand the distribution of amphibians and reptiles in Maryland and forecast species' futures in a time of accelerated environmental threats, conducting a comprehensive statewide survey updating 1970s-era distribution maps seemed ideal. However, this endeavor was of an impossibly ambitious scope for scientists alone to tackle. Enter the Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project, comprising nearly a thousand dedicated citizen scientists who discovered and recorded the locations of herpetofauna throughout every corner of Maryland. In The Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas, Heather R. Cunningham and Nathan H. Nazdrowicz present the findings of this massive undertaking. This definitive guide combines nearly 160 comprehensive new herpetological maps with historical distribution maps and in-depth species accounts. Color photos illustrate the natural history of the 89 species of frogs, salamanders, turtles, snakes, and lizards that call the state home. Essays discuss historical studies, the effects of Maryland's current climate, geology, and habitat diversity—and the myriad conservation issues these animals face. This richly detailed book represents a triumph of citizen science and the culmination of an intensive research partnership. It will appeal to both amateurs and professionals interested in herpetology, natural history, or ecology, as well as those with a special interest in Maryland's biodiversity.