Human influence on the Status of the species
Species Survival- Maximizing Biotic Potential:
Biotic potential is defined as the highest possible per capita growth rate for a population. Many factors determine a population's biotic potential, such as the number of offspring per reproductive cycle, the number of offspring that survive to reproductive age, the age of reproductive maturity, the number of times an individual can reproduce in a life span, and the life span on the individual. In order to maximize the biotic potential of a species, an ideal set of conditions must be met. The species has to reach reproductive maturity at a young age, produce a high number of offspring, provide offspring with a high level of care, and have a long life span. |
In the case of the Blanding's Turtle, it does not meet many of these requirements to have a high growth rate. Because the Blanding's Turtle reaches reproductive maturity at an older age, produces a relatively small number of offspring, and does not provide its offspring with a high level of care until they reach reproductive age, the growth rate is slow.
However, there are many other factors that influence the Blanding's Turtle population in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence regions.
However, there are many other factors that influence the Blanding's Turtle population in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence regions.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2171602/Workmen-destroy-20-000-rare-turtle-eggs-bulldozers-hit-beach.html
http://www.earthrangers.com/wildwire/take-action/blandings-turtle-2/
http://vspca.org/updates/2014-03-01/
http://www.earthrangers.com/wildwire/take-action/blandings-turtle-2/
http://vspca.org/updates/2014-03-01/
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation:
Habitat loss is one of the major causes of the Blanding's Turtle's designation of threatened. The expanding Canadian population has caused habitat loss for many species at risk in Canada, especially the Blanding's Turtle. Much of their habitat, such as wetlands and ponds, are being destroyed by land development and industrialization (4). Many freshwater turtles are endangered because of the loss of their freshwater habitats. There are not many freshwater locations for these turtles around the globe, so this is an issue.
Also, because the Blanding's Turtle requires specific habitats to survive and reproduce, such as wetlands and vegetated rivers, habitat loss has a larger affect on the survival of this species (4). Along with many other turtle species at risk, the Blanding's Turtle cannot travel long distances, so if their habitat is lost, they may not be able to relocate to a different region.
Female Blanding's Turtles also prefer to lay their eggs in a location where there is sand or dirt to bury their eggs in. Therefore, the side of a highway is an ideal nesting place for these turtles. This poses a threat to the hatchlings and the female turtle because of traffic on the highway. Female turtles trying to cross a road to lay her eggs are most likely to be killed or severely injured before reaching a suitable nesting spot to lay her eggs (4).
With the increasing Canadian population and the need for more highways and road construction for expanding cities, this poses a large threat to many wildlife species whose habitats are being invaded.
Fragmentation of the Blanding's Turtles' habitats is also a growing issue in preserving this species. The Blanding's Turtles' habitats are being broken up by forestry, agricultural practices and urban development disrupts the turtles' ability to move around, changing habitat locations for reproduction (10). This makes it increasingly more difficult for these turtles to travel from the wetlands and swamps to suitable nesting locations (10). If these turtles are not able to find suitable nesting conditions, the hatchlings will have a lower survival rate, based on the external nesting conditions.
Human activity and development can also affect the amount of water flow to a given area. If there is construction and a major river is being blocked, a smaller stream or pool could dry up or experience reduced water flow. The opposite situation could also occur, where there could be the potential for increased water flow into a small stream. This may cause nests to be washed away, eliminating the potential for surviving hatchlings (14). Therefore, even if the turtle's habitat is not being directly invaded, there are many other ways that human activity can influence the Blanding's Turtles' habitats (14).
Habitat loss is one of the major causes of the Blanding's Turtle's designation of threatened. The expanding Canadian population has caused habitat loss for many species at risk in Canada, especially the Blanding's Turtle. Much of their habitat, such as wetlands and ponds, are being destroyed by land development and industrialization (4). Many freshwater turtles are endangered because of the loss of their freshwater habitats. There are not many freshwater locations for these turtles around the globe, so this is an issue.
Also, because the Blanding's Turtle requires specific habitats to survive and reproduce, such as wetlands and vegetated rivers, habitat loss has a larger affect on the survival of this species (4). Along with many other turtle species at risk, the Blanding's Turtle cannot travel long distances, so if their habitat is lost, they may not be able to relocate to a different region.
Female Blanding's Turtles also prefer to lay their eggs in a location where there is sand or dirt to bury their eggs in. Therefore, the side of a highway is an ideal nesting place for these turtles. This poses a threat to the hatchlings and the female turtle because of traffic on the highway. Female turtles trying to cross a road to lay her eggs are most likely to be killed or severely injured before reaching a suitable nesting spot to lay her eggs (4).
With the increasing Canadian population and the need for more highways and road construction for expanding cities, this poses a large threat to many wildlife species whose habitats are being invaded.
Fragmentation of the Blanding's Turtles' habitats is also a growing issue in preserving this species. The Blanding's Turtles' habitats are being broken up by forestry, agricultural practices and urban development disrupts the turtles' ability to move around, changing habitat locations for reproduction (10). This makes it increasingly more difficult for these turtles to travel from the wetlands and swamps to suitable nesting locations (10). If these turtles are not able to find suitable nesting conditions, the hatchlings will have a lower survival rate, based on the external nesting conditions.
Human activity and development can also affect the amount of water flow to a given area. If there is construction and a major river is being blocked, a smaller stream or pool could dry up or experience reduced water flow. The opposite situation could also occur, where there could be the potential for increased water flow into a small stream. This may cause nests to be washed away, eliminating the potential for surviving hatchlings (14). Therefore, even if the turtle's habitat is not being directly invaded, there are many other ways that human activity can influence the Blanding's Turtles' habitats (14).
Illegal Pet Trade:
The Blanding's Turtle is a relatively small reptile that can be easily taken care of. This, along with its bright yellow colouring, make it an ideal species to have as a pet. In general, poachers capture these turtles when they are on the way to the nesting sites. Most of the turtles that are captured to be sold are pregnant females because they are most active when seeking out nesting locations, and are therefore easier to capture (4). |
This is having detrimental effects on the Blanding's Turtle population, because female turtles of reproductive age are being removed from the wild, as well as her hatchlings, so they cannot help the population grow (4). As the population increases and there is more development, there is an increased risk of these turtles being captured and removed from their natural habitat (4).
Climate Change:
Climate change is a major factor in the status of many species at risk. Because of the varying and changing weather patterns, some species, such as the Blanding's Turtle find it increasingly more difficult to cope with these changing atmosphere conditions. Because turtles are cold-blooded organisms, they do not regulate their own internal temperature and change temperature according to their environment. Although scientists have only begun to delve into the effects of climate change on various creatures, there has been some hypotheses for the short term and long term effects of climate change.
Historical climate records for the city of Ottawa and surrounding regions in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence population show that the major effects of climate change in this area are warmer, more variable winters, earlier spring thaw, and drier summers (3). With the warmer, earlier spring time, comes an earlier onset of breeding and nesting for these turtles. Irregular weather during the winter months can lead to early water warming and early hatching of the eggs (3). In addition, drier summers may reduce the amount of wetland habitats, which require the turtles to seek other habitats and may need to relocate. This, in turn, may result in increased physiological stress to the turtles and exposure to other threats, such as road mortality (3).
The Blanding's Turtles are more active at lower temperatures than expected. They were discovered active in early March, with body temperatures around three degrees Celsius (1). Movements of the turtles to the wetlands occurred with body temperatures around eight degrees Celsius (1). Therefore, climate change and global warming could be detrimental to these reptiles. If the global temperatures continue to rise, these turtles may be forced to relocate further south, and could be in great danger.
Climate change is a major factor in the status of many species at risk. Because of the varying and changing weather patterns, some species, such as the Blanding's Turtle find it increasingly more difficult to cope with these changing atmosphere conditions. Because turtles are cold-blooded organisms, they do not regulate their own internal temperature and change temperature according to their environment. Although scientists have only begun to delve into the effects of climate change on various creatures, there has been some hypotheses for the short term and long term effects of climate change.
Historical climate records for the city of Ottawa and surrounding regions in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence population show that the major effects of climate change in this area are warmer, more variable winters, earlier spring thaw, and drier summers (3). With the warmer, earlier spring time, comes an earlier onset of breeding and nesting for these turtles. Irregular weather during the winter months can lead to early water warming and early hatching of the eggs (3). In addition, drier summers may reduce the amount of wetland habitats, which require the turtles to seek other habitats and may need to relocate. This, in turn, may result in increased physiological stress to the turtles and exposure to other threats, such as road mortality (3).
The Blanding's Turtles are more active at lower temperatures than expected. They were discovered active in early March, with body temperatures around three degrees Celsius (1). Movements of the turtles to the wetlands occurred with body temperatures around eight degrees Celsius (1). Therefore, climate change and global warming could be detrimental to these reptiles. If the global temperatures continue to rise, these turtles may be forced to relocate further south, and could be in great danger.
http://www.toptenz.net/10-reasons-you-should-be-worried-about-climate-change.php https://www2.ucar.edu/news/how-much-has-global-temperature-risen-last-100-years