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4.1.4.1 Western Swamp Turtle Findings Factsheet V4

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4.1.4.1 Western Swamp Turtle Findings Factsheet V4 Science for Saving Species Research findings factsheet Project 4.1.4.1 Assisted colonisation trials for the western swamp turtle to cooler southern wetlands In brief This study is a world-first trial of and growth rates over six months that spanned a 350 km latitudinal assisted colonisation of a vertebrate to individuals released at an existing gradient, and focused more closely species in response to the threat northern translocation site. on post-release behaviour and of climate change. growth. Growth rates at the northern We found that growth rates at the and southern extremes of this The Critically Endangered western two southern sites were different – gradient were very similar between swamp turtle (Pseudemydura only at one of the southern sites the first and second trials, and it umbrina) naturally occurs in one did juveniles grow as much as they became clearer that factors limiting small, now isolated, ephemeral and did in the north. While the positive growth in the south included both seasonal clay swamp complex near result at one site was encouraging, lower environmental temperatures Perth, Western Australia. The species further trials over longer periods and food availability. We conclude relies on a wet winter and spring were needed, especially as the that assisted colonisation to southern period to eat, grow and reproduce south-west of Western Australia coastal regions of Western Australia within the wetlands, and is then was unusually cool throughout could be considered in the near dormant (in aestivation) when the the winter and spring of 2016. future, provided that release areas wetlands dry out. The critical wet Consequently, in 2018, a second have wetlands with high food period was formerly up to seven year-long trial of assisted colonisation availability and longer wet periods months long, but without remedial commenced. In this trial, we released than those in the natural range intervention reduced rainfall due juveniles across three wetland sites near Perth. to climate change has reduced the wet period to three to four months. Shortened wet periods coupled with extensive habitat loss on privately owned land and changes in adjacent land usage threaten the persistence of the species within its natural range. Seasonal swamps further south of the species’ natural range may provide suitable habitat for the turtle now and into the future. In 2016, we trialled assisted colonisation of juvenile western swamp turtles to two wetlands approximately 300 km south of the species’ natural range and compared their survival Swamp turtles forage exclusively in water on macroinvertebrates and tadpoles. Image: Nick Rodriguez Biodiversity and Conservation Science Background Climate change is one of the most has reduced winter rainfall by significant threats to biodiversity approximately 26% in recent this century, and is rapidly altering decades, shortening the time that ecosystem conditions. One of the swamps hold water, and has brought most recognised of its impacts is hotter summers and fewer rainfall a systematic shift of species’ range events. Together these changes limits towards the poles, at an have lengthened the period that the average of 17 km and 72 km per swamp is dry each summer, and so decade for terrestrial and marine eventually the critical wet periods species, respectively. Species that may be too short to allow turtles have restricted ranges and breed at to adequately grow and reproduce. slow rates are particularly vulnerable The current habitat of the to these effects of climate change, western swamp turtle is likely to as they have limited opportunities to become marginal for the species disperse or to adapt in evolutionary under future climate change, Temperate loggers were installed in ways. Many of these species may both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. unless a greater area of habitat Image: Nick Rodriguez well become extinct as a direct can be protected, and major result of climate change. drought-proofing actions can be Main aim of the research Worldwide, reptile species are implemented. Wetlands near the experiencing significant declines, south coast of Western Australia The aim of the assisted colonisation with an estimated 25% of species are cooler than the swamp turtle’s trials was to assess the current at risk of extinction. Turtles are current habitat, but they have longer suitability of habitats more than especially imperilled, with just wet periods, and predictive models 300 km south of the natural range over half (52%) of all species at suggest they are likely to provide of the western swamp turtle for risk. Climate change will have ideal microclimates within 30 to supporting growth and survival particularly severe impacts on 50 years, due to climate change. of juveniles of the species. freshwater turtles, as they rely on Assisted colonisation is the We used growth rates over their specific temperature ranges for intentional introduction of a species winter–spring activity period as optimal biological functioning, of conservation concern to an area an indicator of the turtles’ ability and because wetland habitats are outside its natural range, and is to persist long-term in the new already among the most altered carried out to avoid the impacts of a southern sites. We therefore set out and degraded habitats globally. threatening process such as disease, to compare the growth of turtles The western swamp turtle is predation or climate change. This released in southern wetlands to Australia’s rarest reptile and has a study reports on the outcomes of the growth of turtles released in an lifespan similar to humans. In the trials of assisted colonisation for the existing northern translocation site, turtle’s habitat in a small, seasonal western swamp turtle to wetlands of and within the natural range. swamp near Perth, climate change the south coast of Western Australia. We also sought to determine if there were behavioural differences in released individuals that related to the different microclimatic conditions at each release site. A longer-term goal of the species’ recovery team and recovery plan is the establishment of new populations in habitats that will remain suitable as Turtles were released in 2018 into a newly acquired wetland within Ellen Brook Nature the climate changes. Reserve to allow comparisons of their behaviour with turtles released outside the natural range. Image: Nick Rodriguez What we did In partnership with the Western at Moore River and Meerup, and After release, we monitored the Swamp Turtle Recovery team we 12 in the natural habitat at Ellen turtles regularly – about every selected two wetlands near the Brook Nature Reserve near Perth. two weeks until the end of the townships of East Augusta and hydroperiod, and thereafter In both years, individuals were Northcliffe as trial sites for assisted approximately monthly. In addition sourced from a captive breeding colonisation. We used an existing to measuring changes in body program at Perth Zoo, were mostly northern translocation site at size and weight of turtles at each two to five years old, and had an Moore River Nature Reserve to site, we assessed thermal variation average mass of 130 g. We ensured provide a comparison. These in the swamp microclimates, soil a similar distribution of age and mass northern and southern sites were microclimates and analysed the in each release group. approximately 350 km apart, and factors that most influenced juvenile so offered different freshwater Before releasing the turtles, we growth. We expected that the and terrestrial microclimates. fitted each one with a small radio individuals released at the southern transmitter and data logger that sites would grow more slowly than In August 2016 we released 35 recorded temperature (2016 trial) turtles in northern sites, but that juvenile turtles at three sites: 11 or temperature and pressure (2018 their slower rates of growth would at Moore River and 12 each at trial). These were attached to the be offset by the longer wet periods East Augusta and Meerup (the rear of the carapace (shell) using that the southern sites offered for wetland site near Northcliffe). epoxy resin and covered with black foraging and gaining weight. Our 2018 trial was slightly larger, plastic to minimise the visibility with 18 juveniles each released of the turtles to aerial predators. Key findings Our key finding was that growth forage when temperatures are Overall, our findings show that rates similar to those at warmer suitable for their activity, rather western swamp turtles can grow northern translocation sites can be than solely when prey is available. in southern wetlands where the achieved in a southern wetland, current microclimate temperatures Encouragingly, captive-reared even in an unusually cool spring, are near to the lower limit that juveniles found suitable sites for as occurred in 2016. The total allow turtles to forage. The long- their terrestrial aestivation periods growth achieved at East Augusta term suitability of southern sites for in the novel southern habitats. in 2016 was similar to that at the juvenile turtles to reach maturity However, at the East Augusta trial northern Moore River site. will depend on juveniles being able site, which is bounded by private to survive their annual period of The microclimates at southern property, several individuals moved summer aestivation, which in turn wetlands were most suitable for onto private land to aestivate. This depends on the energy they can foraging and growth in late spring means that the trial wetland at East accumulate during spring when and early summer, as turtles did Augusta is unlikely to be the best foraging on high-energy prey not begin to gain weight until mid- option for establishing a permanent items such as tadpoles. September. However, individuals assisted colonisation site in the released at Meerup in 2016 and region. Fortunately, the nearby Turtles move overland when wetlands dry. 2018 did not consistently gain Scott River National Park may Image: Nick Rodriguez weight in either trial.
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