Assisted colonisation trials for the western swamp turtle to cooler southern wetlands
Date: 02, Nov, 2020
Author(s):
Nicola Mitchell
Publisher: TSR Hub
This study is a world-first trial of
assisted colonisation of a vertebrate
species in response to the threat
of climate change.
The Critically Endangered western
swamp turtle (Pseudemydura
umbrina) naturally occurs in one
small, now isolated, ephemeral and
seasonal clay swamp complex near
Perth, Western Australia. The species
relies on a wet winter and spring
period to eat, grow and reproduce
within the wetlands, and is then
dormant (in aestivation) when the
wetlands dry out. The critical wet
period was formerly up to seven
months long, but without remedial
intervention reduced rainfall due
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.
4.1.4.1 Western Swamp Turtle Findings Factsheet V4