Bog Turtle Inventory at Appalachian National Scenic Trail 2024 - Open Format Dataset

Phase I and Phase III Bog Turtle Surveys on three Appalachian National Scenic Trail (APPA) tracts were conducted in formerly grazed rich sloping fen and calcareous wet meadow. Substantial areas of the core bog turtle habitat are colonized by native and nonnative shrubs and, to some extent, eastern red cedar. Manual chemical treatment of encroaching woody vegetation is recommended and should be adequate for maintaining desirable bog turtle habitat at this site. Grazing is not recommended for the bog turtle habitat; soil saturation is generally low (from prior agricultural drainage), which increases the risk of bog turtles being injured or killed from cattle trampling.