Turtles have been around for about 220 million years, and
they've remained virtually the same ever since. They're
the longest, unchanged vertebrate on the planet. It's only as we head into the
21st century that habitat fragmentation and loss may soon
change this.
Turtles depend on their environment to provide food, an area to lay their eggs,
and protection from potential predators. When their habitat gets transformed
into factories, shopping centers, and housing developments, they have nowhere to
go. This problem affects many plants and animals, but is particularly hard on
turtles.
"Some turtles aren't sexually mature until they're 20 or 30 years
old," says David Carroll, nature writer and author of the newly released
book, Swampwalker's Journal. Since they can't produce offspring until a
much later age, it's harder for turtles to maintain their population.
Another big threat to turtles is pollution. Swamps and marshes are vulnerable to
the dumping of solid, industrial and organic wastes. This dumping fills in their
habitat while at the same time making it a more toxic environment to try to
survive in.
Turtles aren't the only ones in trouble. Habitat loss and
fragmentation, as well as pollution, also threaten other reptiles and
amphibians. Frogs, salamanders, and snakes all depend on a variety of habitats
to survive.
For
example, forests house many of the resources reptiles and amphibians require for
living. They provide the fallen leaves and twigs used for protection, as well as
the vernal pools used as breeding areas for many amphibians
Vernal pools are key in the survival of many salamanders. Because they're not
present year round, these small depressions filled with water from spring runoff
are important to protect. Many of these pools serve as temporary homes and
breeding grounds for salamanders. Since vernal pools have no inlet or outlet,
they can't support fish or other known predators. This is an ideal safe haven
for salamanders and some frogs to lay their eggs, while also serving as a
primary place to live out the vulnerable aquatic stages of their life cycle.
Amphibians require water to keep their skin moist. Unlike reptiles, they lack
scales to help them tolerate dry conditions. This is another reason why it's
important for us to avoid developing wetland areas.
Pollution is particularly dangerous to amphibians like frogs and toads. Says
Gerry Tilley, Program Assistant in Forestry and Wildlife for the UNH Cooperative
Extension, "Frogs and toads have very thin, permeable skins which makes it
easy for pollutants to pass into the body. These toxic substances can cause
deformities and even death to these animals."
