MS Thesis Defense | Emily Asche
- Event Type
- Other
- Sponsor
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
- Location
- 1005 Forbes Natural History Building
- Virtual
- Join online
- Date
- Dec 12, 2025 2:00 pm
- Views
- 3
- Originating Calendar
- NRES Events
Reptile populations are declining globally, and freshwater turtles are among the most threatened. California’s only native freshwater turtle, the Western Pond Turtle, is experiencing habitat loss, invasive predators, disease, and other pressures that limit its ability to rebound. To support conservation efforts, I conducted standardized surveys across 13 military installations in California during 2023–2024. Populations varied widely, with some sites supporting healthy numbers and others too small to include in analyses. Most populations were dominated by adults, with few juveniles detected, and many showed male-biased sex ratios. Growth patterns also differed regionally: Northwestern populations grew more slowly and reached larger sizes, while Southwestern turtles grew faster and matured earlier. My findings emphasize strong regional differentiation and demographic constraints across the species’ range, providing a foundation for long-term monitoring and targeted recovery of the Western Pond Turtle.