This study examined nest predation and effects of human recreation on a wood turtle population in Manistee County, Michigan.  Eleven stabilized and unstabilized riverbank sites were monitored for turtle nesting activity, nest predator activity, and number of human recreationists in 1998 and 1999.  Nest predator data were analyzed to detect possible preferences between stabilized and unstabilized banks, and all data were tested for possible correlation with meteorological data recorded by computerized data loggers.  Potential nest predators did not prefer one bank type over the other in 1998 or 1999.  Four wood turtle nests were constructed on unstabilized banks, while only one was constructed on a stabilized bank.  In 1998, the number of recreationists was positively correlated with relative humidity.  

© Theresa L. Wusterbarth  2000