Literaturdatenbank
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Ballouard, J.-M., Caron, S., Gravier, C., Fournière, K., Servant, L., Michel, C. L., & Bonnet, X. , Impact of field managements on body condition, thermoregulation and stress level of testudo hermanni. Unpublished paper presented at World Congress of Herpetology.
Added by: Admin (06 Jan 2014 18:24:01 UTC) |
| Resource type: Conference Paper BibTeX citation key: Ballouard2012a View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat - habitat, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Südwesteuropa - South-Western Europa, Testudinidae, Testudo hermanni Creators: Ballouard, Bonnet, Caron, Fournière, Gravier, Michel, Servant Collection: World Congress of Herpetology |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae All tortoise species face strong decline, especially in the arid Mediterranean areas. The Hermann tortoise ( Testudo hermanni ) notably is critically endangered in Western Europe. In France, this species subsists in the Var district (South Est) where small patchy populations are particularly vulnerable due to habitat destruction, urbanization, uncontrolled fires and closing of other areas owing to changing agricultural practices. It has been assumed that open habitats are critical in providing opportunities for thermoregulation, laying sites, and favoring the growth of food resources. Water availability supposedly relaxes environmental constraints. Therefore field management actions have been set up through a conservation Life+ program (2010-2014). We evaluated the effect of habitat openings and of the creation of water ponds in two independent sites. We used a simple experimental design comparing control versus managed areas. In 2010, before managements, we performed initial surveys and monitored 38 tortoises fitted with radio transmitters and temperature data loggers. In 2011, following managements, we monitor 40 tortoises (20 per experiment). We evaluate the impact of management on tortoises using physiological indexes such as body condition, basal stress level, and hydric stress. Thermal profiles of the tortoise are also recorded. This study will provide important information to better estimate the usefulness of field managements which could be implemented at national and European levels. The results will be also important to organize reintroduction or reinforcement programs.
Added by: Admin |