UHCL Graduate Students, EIH Director Present Diamondback Terrapin Research

September 16, 2013

Environmental Institute of Houston-sponsored graduate students Rachel George and Bryan Alleman attended and presented their research findings in a poster paper, Possible Effects of Salinity on Texas Diamondback Terrapin, at the 6th Symposium on Status, Ecology and Conservation of Diamondback Terrapin, which was held at St. Christopher's Camp and Conference Center, Seabrook Island, S.C., on September 13-15, 2013.

Also in attendance was EIH Director George Guillen who presented the preliminary findings of a project funded by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service titled Potential Impact of the Blue Crab Fishery on Texas Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin littoralis).

Both George and Alleman are pursuing their MS in Environmental Science within the School of Science and Computer Engineering at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. They are conducting important new research on the nesting and feeding ecology of this terrapin species. Through EIH sponsorship, several environmental science graduate students over the last few years have conducted research on this important species. This research has contributed significantly to the understanding of terrapin ecology and management.

There were over 100 conference attendees from all Gulf and Atlantic states. The triennial meeting is sponsored by the Diamondback Terrapin Working Group (DTWG) whose mission is to create greater awareness and promote conservation of this unique estuarine species of turtle. Terrapin are facing increasing threats from habitat loss, bycatch mortality and vessel and boat collisions throughout their range.

EIH in Action

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