Suburbs: dangers or drought refugia for freshwater turtle populations?
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Published source details
Roe J.H., Rees M. & Georges A. (2011) Suburbs: dangers or drought refugia for freshwater turtle populations?. Journal of Wildlife Management, 75, 1544-1552.
Published source details Roe J.H., Rees M. & Georges A. (2011) Suburbs: dangers or drought refugia for freshwater turtle populations?. Journal of Wildlife Management, 75, 1544-1552.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Protect habitat: All reptiles (excluding sea turtles) Action Link |
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Protect habitat: All reptiles (excluding sea turtles)
A replicated, site comparison study in 2006–2007 in 15 wetlands in Australian Capital Territory, Australia (Roe et al. 2011) found that waterbodies in nature reserves had lower abundances of eastern long-necked turtles Chelodina longicollis compared to suburban areas and that adult turtles found in nature reserves grew slower and were more likely to be smaller than those in suburban areas. Eastern long-necked turtle abundance was 3 times lower in nature reserve waterbodies (15 turtles/wetland) compared to suburban waterbodies (44 turtles/wetland). Adult growth rates were more than five times lower in nature reserve waterbodies (0.2–0.3 mm/year) than in suburban waterbodies (1.3 mm/year). Smaller adult turtles (120–135 mm long) were found more often in nature reserves, whereas larger adult turtles (135–195 mm long) were found more often in suburban areas (see original paper for details). Turtles were monitored in seven waterbodies in nature reserves and eight in suburban areas within a 55 km2 rural to urban gradient using baited crab traps. Traps were set in September and November 2006 and January and October 2007 (see original paper for details). Turtles were individually marked and measured prior to release.
