TY - CONF T1 - 7 - Cross-seasonal survey of reptile diversity and distribution between varying environments in Smithgall Woods State Park, White County, Georgia AU - Duckworth, Cory E. AB - Reptiles are essential elements of North Georgia ecosystems, primarily by acting as important components of the food webs that aid in population control of insects. Additionally, due to their ectothermic physiology, reptiles are sensitive to environmental alterations resulting from both climate change and anthropogenic activities. Understanding the diversity and distribution of reptile populations in seasonally changing, heterogeneous environments can provide essential information for conservation and management strategies, as well as a better understanding of the impact of climate change on these organisms. In this study, we focused on three sites located within Smithgall Woods State Park in White County, Georgia. At each site, habitat assessments were performed and an extensive survey of snake and turtle populations are being implemented during each season of the year. Captured individuals are marked with a unique code and a series of measurements are taken to quantify changes over time of both that individual and the population of the species. Using these data, we will be able to determine the general health and ecological implications of the population and how they change over time, both of which are important data for implementing targeted management and conservation strategies of local reptile populations. DA - 2018-11-3 PY - 2024 PB - unav ER -