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Joining Pitt in her research were environmental science majors Myles Little \u201921 and Ellie Tate \u201921, a Dorothy A. and Glover Johnson Scholar and a Thomas Fisher Scholar. The three and their co-authors\u2014Trinity Physics and Environmental Laboratory Manager Joseph Tavano and Max A. Nickerson from the University of Florida\u2019s Florida Museum of Natural History\u2014explored how turtles\u2019 population and species composition change over time and in response to shifts in their habitat because of a 1,000-year flood. <\/p>\n
Little, Tate, and Pitt worked together as a team. \u201cWe snorkeled the North Fork of White River, hand captured the turtles, and collected the data on the turtles and their habitats,\u201d said Pitt. \u201cWe also co-authored a presentation which we presented at the prestigious International Congress for Conservation Biology in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 23, 2019, as well as this publication.\u201d<\/p>\n Pitt said they found that most of the turtle species were able to cope with the flood. \u201cWe also concluded that flooding was less of a threat to the turtle populations than exploitation,\u201d she said. \u201cThis means that conservation efforts should focus more on addressing exploitation of turtles.\u201d<\/p>\n She noted that conservation and sustainability are essential topics for her students and her to discuss in their work. \u201cAs members of the Trinity College community, we are actively participating in the broader, global conservation and sustainability discussion and process by doing critical research and outreach to ensure effective conservation programs,\u201d said Pitt. \u201cWe are demonstrating by example how to be bold, independent thinkers who lead transformative lives and work toward the greater good.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Trinity Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Biology Amber Pitt and two of her students recently published a scientific paper that sheds light on how different threats impact river turtle populations. Based on research they conducted in Ozark County, Missouri, in 2019, the paper can help to inform conservation strategies for river turtles. Pitt said that … <\/p>\n![\"Baby](\"https:\/\/commons.trincoll.edu\/reporter-spring2021\/files\/2021\/06\/shutterstock_154844942-300x200.jpg\")