Population models are important tools for evaluating human impacts and potential management approaches on declining species. However, often studies are limited by constraints of the specific modeling approach. In this study we considered the persistence of a diamond-backed terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) population using two distinct modeling approaches. Two of the models were deterministic matrix models. Analysis of the discrete non-spatial models showed that female adult survival rate had the largest positive impact on population growth while delaying sexual maturity decreased population growth. The matrix models also demonstrated that an increase in crab traps skewed the sex ratio of the population in favor of females. The third model was a stochastic agent-based formulation that evaluated how increases in the number of crab traps and frequency of nest disturbances affected the long-term viability of diamond-backed terrapins. The spatial agent-based model revealed how terrapin mortality was highly sensitive to the proximity of traps to the primary terrapin habitat. Results from this project improve our understanding of threats to diamond-backed terrapins and can be used to guide conservation efforts.

种群模型是评估人类对衰退物种的影响和潜在管理方法的重要工具。然而，研究通常受到特定建模方法的限制。在这项研究中，我们考虑了钻石背龟（Malaclemys terrapin) 人口使用两种不同的建模方法。其中两个模型是确定性矩阵模型。离散非空间模型的分析表明，成年女性存活率对人口增长的积极影响最大，而延迟性成熟则减少了人口增长。矩阵模型还表明，捕蟹器的增加使种群的性别比例偏向于雌性。第三个模型是基于随机代理的公式，用于评估捕蟹器数量的增加和巢穴干扰的频率如何影响钻石背龟的长期生存能力。基于空间代理的模型揭示了龟死亡率如何对陷阱与主要龟栖息地的接近程度高度敏感。