Wildlife Studies

The Natural Resource Section conducts wildlife studies and monitoring activities to support ongoing Agency operations and projects. Some of these reports may be downloaded and viewed from the links provided below.

Distribution and Habitat Use of Western Pond Turtles in a Seasonal Impounded River

This study determined the distribution and habitat use of western pond turtles above the Mirabel inflatable dam and in the Wohler Pool, along the Russian River. Turtles had a broad range of age classes, including 26.9% juveniles. Western pond turtles are resident of the Wohler pool; however, their numbers decreased downstream. Important factors in the persistence of turtles are probably the temporary nature of the dam and the gradual effects of the Wohler Pool from upstream to downstream. This is consistent with the observed relatively high abundance of turtles in the upper reach of the Wohler pool and the gradual decrease with proximity to the dam where the effects of the impoundment are greatest.

Distribution and Habitat Use of Western Pond Turtles in a Seasonal Impounded River