Diamonds in the Marsh
Dr. BARBARA BRENNESSEL 
Goldberg Professor of Biology
Dr. Barbara Brennessel, Goldberg Professor of Biology, studies the genetic diversity of terrapins within the Wellfleet Bay ecosystem and in the Cape Cod area. She and her student interns share their summers with the terrapins. Sensing the need for a resource that captures current conservation activities and current research, Dr. Brennessel has published her work:
Diamonds in the Marsh: A Natural History of the Diamondback Terrapin (University Press of New England, 2006).
What prompted the book project?
Diamondback terrapin populations are declining in many of their habitats along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the US. 
The species is listed as "threatened" in Massachusetts. I became fascinated with these turtles after learning that I spent my summers in an area of Cape Cod that encompasses the northernmost range for terrapins. As I embarked on terrapin research and conservation efforts, I was able to enlist many Wheaton students as interns and other volunteers from Cape Cod. When members of our terrapin team asked, "What can I read to learn more about terrapins and their habitat requirements?" I could not find a user-friendly resource. I decided to consolidate all the current research and conservation activities, including the work we are doing at Wheaton, into one definitive volume.
How do you hope your work will impact others?
Diamonds in the Marsh not only summarizes current research and conservation efforts, but also looks ahead to those measures that must be taken to ensure survival of this ancient reptile. In the book, I not only highlight what we know about terrapins, but also what we don't know. These questions are areas for future research and I have already learned that undergraduate and graduate students are using it to guide directions for their research projects.
I have also used the book as a starting point for writing a "Diamondback Terrapin Conservation Manual." I received a grant from the Sounds Conservancy to produce the manual and distribute it to coastal towns that lie within the range of the species in the northeast and to environmental organizations that may be able to work to protect diamondback terrapin habitat.
How do other areas of research impact on yours?
Although diamondback terrapins are unique turtles, any research on other turtle species can help to shed light on some of the conservation issues related to terrapin survival. In addition, studies on the habitats utilized by terrapins, such as salt marshes, estuaries, mangrove swamps, and other coastal areas are important in understanding how and why these habitats are important in the life history of terrapins.
What books have you been reading lately
Summer is the time when I catch up on all the books I haven't had time to read during the school year. Among others, I read "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer because it was on my son's summer reading list. I picked it up and couldn't put it down. I attended a talk by Trevor Corson and subsequently read his book, "The Secret Life of Lobsters" which is fun and informative. One of my favorite recent books is "The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell" by Mark Kurlansky. It is a fascinating account of the impact of the oyster on the history of New York City. I read it for background on my next book about shellfish aquaculture in the northeast which will be entitled,"Good Tidings: Farming on the Flats."
Dr. Barbara Brennessel's Personal Profile.
Wheaton's Department of Biology.
