| Abstract [eng] |
European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis L.) is a widely spread species, declining in a vast part of it‘s range, rare and therefore needs protection in Lithuania and many other European countries. The main reasons of it‘s decline are the lack of suitable water and terrestrial habitats due to succession and human action, impact of predators, little reproduction efficiency and, consequently, lack of young individuals of reproductive age. To protect this species in Lithuania ecological network should be formed, which would include important European pond turtles‘ habitats, where large enough and viable populationas are found. So protection status of the most importatnt habitats would be secured and migration conditiond improved. To make proper pond turtle protection also other conservation tools, such as regular habitat management, nest protection, public conveyance should be applied. |
