Yosemite Turtle Populations Surge After Invasive Bullfrog Removal
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📰 The quick summary: Removal of invasive bullfrogs in Yosemite National Park has led to a significant recovery of native western pond turtles, showing how targeted conservation efforts can restore natural ecosystem balance.
📈 One key stat: In ponds without bullfrogs, native pond turtles were between two and 100 times more abundant compared to ponds where bullfrogs remained, demonstrating the dramatic impact of invasive species control.
💬 One key quote: “One reason American bullfrogs are among the top worst globally introduced pests is because they eat everything — anything that fits into their mouth,” Brian Todd, senior author of the study and a professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology at UC Davis, said in a statement.
1️⃣ The big picture: A new study from the University of California, Davis reveals how removing invasive bullfrogs can help restore native western pond turtle populations in Yosemite National Park. Scientists monitored four sites between 2016 and 2022, comparing locations where bullfrogs were removed to those where they remained. The results showed dramatic differences, with pond turtles flourishing in bullfrog-free environments. Western pond turtles have already disappeared from about half their original range due to multiple threats, including habitat destruction, development, pollution, disease, and competition from invasive species. This research demonstrates that targeted invasive species control can effectively reverse native species decline.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Native pond turtle populations rebound dramatically when freed from bullfrog predation, with juveniles once again able to survive and thrive. Researchers observed other native species returning as well, including frogs and salamanders, creating a more balanced ecosystem. The study proves that conservation efforts can successfully reverse damage from invasive species, even in severely impacted habitats. These findings offer hope for similar conservation approaches in other vulnerable freshwater ecosystems across the western United States, showing that targeted intervention can make a meaningful difference in restoring biodiversity.
3️⃣ What’s next: While bullfrog eradication may not be feasible everywhere due to cost and time constraints, conservationists can prioritize the most ecologically vulnerable areas. Future efforts can build on this research by applying similar approaches to other habitats threatened by invasive species. Long-term monitoring will help ensure the continued recovery of native turtle populations and other species benefiting from bullfrog removal.
Read the full story here: EcoWatch – Removal of Invasive Bullfrogs Leads to Increase of Native Pond Turtles in Yosemite, Study Finds
