ANNUAL VS. PERENNIAL: THE USE OF RADIO TELEMETRY TO INFORM ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR WESTERN POND TURTLE, ACTINEMYS PALLIDA, WITHIN RIVERSIDE COUNTY.

Elizabeth F Dionne; Riverside County Parks MSHCP; edionne@rivcoparks.org; Dustin, M, Mclain

The southern western pond turtle (Actinemys pallida) is the only native freshwater turtle found in Southern California and is currently experiencing population declines through most of its historic range. Understanding the movement patterns and seasonal habitat use of pond turtles can help land managers make better informed adaptive management decisions. Conservation land owned by the Regional Conservation Authority (RCA) includes properties that are occupied by western pond turtle which contains both ephemeral ponds and perennial creeks. Using radio telemetry we tracked turtles to observe and document possible differences in habitat use between the ponds and creeks. We found that turtles located in the ponds estivated along the banks of the creek under vegetative cover, whereas turtles in the creek system had a general upstream movement and stayed in the aquatic environment. Using this information we are able to plan specific management strategies for the pond turtle as well as determine appropriate land use and future conservation needs within Core Areas and specific habitat types.