WLMS Helps to Conduct Research on Poplar Island Terrapins

Dr. Willem M. Roosenburg, Professor and Researcher from Ohio University's Department of Biological Sciences is studying the habitat of Terrapins who make their home on Poplar Island, Maryland.

Poplar Island is a large scale ecological restoration project where dredged material is being used to reconstruct an eroded island in Middle Chesapeake Bay. During the past 100
years the island has eroded and only three small (4 hectares) islands remained. The Army
Corps of Engineers has built a stone-covered dike perimeter that will be filled with dredged
material from the Baltimore Harbor approach to rebuild the island. The goal is to restore the
habitat and its associated wildlife that existed on Poplar Island.

(Source:DIAMONDBACK TERRAPIN NESTING ON THE POPLAR ISLAND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PROJECT by Roosenburg, Allman and Fruh 2003)

As mentioned in a previous entry, our students here at WLMS have adopted Skittles, a terrapin hatchling. Over the course of the year, our students will study the turtle and provide data to the National Aquarium and Dr. Roosenburg's research network. At the end of May, Skittles will be released on Poplar Island to hopefully have a long and productive life.

Below is a video featuring Dr. Roosenburg and his research being conducted on Poplar Island.