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Community, News
Citizen scientists help researchers protect keystone species
Range maps for diamondback terrapins – a type of vulnerable aquatic turtle species – highlight the entire United States East Coast and Gulf Coast. Until a few years ago, however, the shading hiccupped between Port St. Joe, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama because no verified records of their presence existed. Then, researchers and citizen scientists took a closer look.
Terrapins help balance the ecosystem by eating mollusks. When there is an overabundance of mollusks, they will start attacking the live marsh.
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