GOAL

To identify potential habitat areas for the snapping turtle in the Region of Waterloo, Ontario by conducting a weighted multi-criteria evaluation (MCE), inclusive of favoured habitat attributes and potential threats to survival. Corresponding habitat conservation intervention points will be recommended.

Our analysis was based primarily around our MCE, which encompassed factors such as proximity to roads, proximity to water, aspect, soil type, land cover, etc. Our aim was to identify areas likely to have high turtle activity, intersect these areas with an evaluation of busy roads, and identify key points on busy roads at which conservation interventions (ex. “Caution: Turtle Crossing” signs) should be placed.

PROJECT COMPLETED BY: Carly Gardner and Alyssa Mulat