The importance of aquatic and terrestrial habitat for the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis): implications for conservation planning and management

Abstract

The European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis (L., 1758), is threatened throughout its distribution, prompting management of habitats and populations for conservation. Quantitative data on habitat requirements for this species are needed to better evaluate which areas are the most suitable, or what actions can improve habitat suitability. We studied relationships between the distribution and abundance of E. orbicularis and the environment by analysing water quality and features of 39 wetland and upland habitats in the Po River delta of northern Italy; visual transects and point counts were used to determine turtle presence and relative abundance. Emys orbicularis occurs more frequently and abundantly in permanent wetlands surrounded by woodlands, and its presence does not appear to be related to water eutrophication. Woodlands strongly influence adjacent wetland features and may be important for turtles' terrestrial activities such as nesting and dispersal. Habitat management and conservation plans for E. orbicularis should include protection of extensive terrestrial woodland habitat containing diverse wetland systems, to support turtle survival at different life-history stages. The requirements for wetlands and natural terrestrial habitat are difficult to meet in the currently human-dominated European lowlands; nevertheless, conservation plans for this species should take a broad-scale approach.

Using spatial network structure in landscape management and planning: A case study with pond turtles

“…However, there are a few studies based on capture-recapture programs or telemetry data that report movements from a few meters to more than 1 km to nesting sites undertaken by female European pond turtles (Rovero and Chelazzi, 1996;Jablonski and Jablonska, 1998;Mitrus and Zemanek, 1998;Paul and Andreas, 1998;Schneeweiss and Steinhauer, 1998;Novotný et al, 2004), although it is not always clear whether these movements are exclusively undertaken across land (Mitrus, 2010). Nevertheless, it is assumed that movements up to 1500-2000 m across land are commonly found for this species (Ficetola et al, 2004). Furthermore, it is possible that land movements are more important for populations that live in wetlands suffering seasonal draughts (Ficetola and De Bernardi, 2006), which is the case of the studied populations.…”

Can a large metropolis sustain complex herpetofauna communities? An analysis of the suitability of green space fragments in Rome

“…This procedure allowed us to investigate the whole range of urbanization degrees in the city through representative samples. Within each sector, we determined all the remnant green-space fragments and the surrounding urbanized areas by means of a GIS project, using CORINE (COoRdination of INformation on the Environment) Land Cover, a European Commission programme mainly devoted to assess the state of individual environments and the geographical distribution and state of natural areas (2006; four levels; working scale 1:25 000) (Ficetola et al, 2004;Vos et al, 2008). We considered as green-space fragments all the areas constituting polygons belonging to a sector and comprising predominantly the following CORINE Land Cover categories: (a) 1.4.1. green urban areas, areas with vegetation within the urban fabric, including parks, cemeteries with vegetation and mansions and their ground; (b) 2.4. heterogeneous agricultural areas; (c) 3. woods and seminatural areas; (d) 4. wetlands.…”

Diversity, ecological structure and conservation of herpetofauna in a Mediterranean area (Dadia National Park, Greece)

“…Brooks were often reduced to pools in summertime; they were crowded of amphibian life and sheltered also the three protected species against summer aridity stress. The presence of perennial streams and wetlands is recognized as an important factor for the conservation of semi-aquatic herpetofauna, especially in the arid climate of the Mediterranean area (Ficetola et al, 2004;Welsh et al, 2005), whereas inundated land is an ephemeral habitat of great value for breeding amphibian species (Helmer and Scholte, 1985;Bousbouras and Ioannidis, 1997;Brodman et al, 2003). Semi-open or open thermophilous habitats with a well developed undergrowth of low bushes such as oakwoods and heaths were the most important sites for the conservation of terrestrial herpetofauna.…”

“…Thus, it is imperative to develop efficient management plans and monitoring schemes on multiple spatial scales for both amphibians and reptiles (e.g. Buckley and Beebee, 2004;Ficetola et al, 2004). The present study took place in Dadia National Park, in northeastern Greece, which was originally established to conserve a great diversity of birds of prey (36 out of the 38 European species) and in particular a breeding population of black vultures (Aegypius monachus), the flagship species of the National Park (Poirazidis et al, 2004).…”