Data from: Landscape-level factors influencing bog turtle persistence and distribution in southeastern New York State

The bog turtle Glyptemys muhlenbergii is a highly endangered species inhabiting freshwater wetlands of the eastern United States. Habitat degradation is considered one of the chief causes of bog turtle declines. Most of the studies investigating habitat requirements of bog turtles focus on intrawetland influences on bog turtle habitat, but few have explored landscape-level drivers of bog turtle distribution. To better understand causes of bog turtle declines, we combined bog turtle occurrence records with geographic data to contrast 12 landscape variables among wetlands containing extant populations of bog turtles (n = 65) and 500 nearby and 500 distant, randomly located wetlands in southeastern New York State. In contrast to randomly chosen wetlands, bog turtles have persisted in relatively large, open-canopy wetlands (typically >0.42 ha) within large watersheds (typically >13.54 ha), in wetlands with more numerous stream connections, and more often in wetlands positioned atop carbonaceous rock types. Wetlands occurring within carbonaceous surficial geological settings may be more resistant to bog turtle habitat degradation and hence likely to support more persistent populations of bog turtles. Our findings that geomorphic features and intrawetland vegetation are the most useful predictors of bog turtle occurrence and persistence in southeastern New York State are important for generating more detailed hypotheses regarding drivers of bog turtle declines and are also helpful for prioritizing sites for bog turtle conservation and guiding surveys to discover new populations.Table_S1List of habitat variables and source data used in a 2011 study to make comparisons across bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) extant and randomly selected apparently bog turtle-unoccupied wetlands in southeastern New York State.JFWM_Table_S1.xlsTable_S2List of 2001 National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD) land cover categories consolidated to create cover classes for a 2011 study of landscape-level drivers of bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) distribution in southeastern New York State.JFWM_Table_S2.xlsTable_S3Raw data used in a 2011 study to investigate landscape influences on bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) distribution in southeastern New York State. Detailed definitions, units, and sources for variables are indicated on the far right portion of the table.JWFM_Table_S3.xlsData_S2The USFWS National Wetlands Inventory for southeastern New York State and adjacent portions of Massachusetts and Connecticut.JWFM_Data_S2.zipData_S3The USGS National Elevation Dataset flow direction grid for southeastern New York State.JWFM_Data_S3.zipData_S4The USGS 2001 National Land Cover Dataset for the northeastern United States.JWFM_Data_S4.zipData_S5The USGS Mineral Resources On-line Spatial Dataset for the states of Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont and New York.JWFM_Data_S5.zipData_S6US Census Bureau road data for southeastern New York State.JWFM_Data_S6.zipData_S7The USGS National Hydrography Dataset for New York State.JWFM_Data_S7.zipReference S2Cowardin LM, Carter V, Golet FC, LaRoe ET. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. Washington, D.C.: United States Fish and Wildlife Service.JWFM_REFERENCE_S2.pdfReference S3Dicken CL, Nicholson SW, Horton JD, Kinney SA, Gunther G, Foose MP, Mueller JAL. 2005. Preliminary integrated geologic map databases for the United States: Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. United States Geological Survey.JWFM_REFERENCE_S3.pdfReference S4[ESA] US Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, Pub. L. No. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884 (Dec. 28, 1973).JWFM_REFERENCE_S4.pdfReference S5Homer CG, Huang C, Yang L, Wylie B, Coan M. Development of a 2001 national landcover database for the United States.JWFM_REFERENCE_S5.pdfReference S6New York Natural Heritage Program. 2011. Online conservation guide for Glyptemys muhlenbergii.JWFM_REFERENCE_S6.pdfReference S7New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 2010. Endangered species, threatened species and species of special concern. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. New York Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0535, Part 182. Albany, New York.JWFM_REFERENCE_S7.pdfReference S8Nicholson SW, Dicken CL, Horton JD, Foose MP, Mueller JAL, Hon R. 2006. Preliminary integrated geologic map databases for the United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont. United States Geological Survey.JWFM_REFERENCE_S8.pdfReference S9Simley JD, Carswell WJJ. 2009. The national map—hydrography: U.S. Geological Survey fact sheet.JWFM_REFERENCE_S9.pdfReference S10U.S. Census Bureau. 2011. 2010 Census TIGER/line shapefiles.JWFM_REFERENCE_S10.pdfReference S11[USFWS]. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1997. Native fish and wildlife: endangered species. Washington, D.C. Federal Register 62:4229.JWFM_REFERENCE_S11.pdfReference S12[USFWS]. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2001. Bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii), northern population recovery plan. Hadley, Massachusetts. 103pp.JWFM_REFERENCE_S12.pd