Australia is home to more than 20 species of freshwater turtles, which commonly live in and around rivers, lakes, swamps and ponds, including farm dams. In South Australia, there are 3 species of freshwater turtles – the Murray short-necked turtle, the broad-shelled turtle and the eastern long-necked turtle.
From the mighty Murray River and its wetlands and floodplains to the smaller creeks and swamps of the Mount Lofty Ranges and Limestone Coast, South Australia’s waterways have been significantly altered from their natural state. The biodiversity impacts of these changes are, in many cases, still poorly understood. Freshwater turtles inhabit all these mainland waterways. They hold cultural significance for First Nations and play an important ecological role in maintaining water quality. Unfortunately, past research, local citizen science findings, and First Nations knowledge all point to a serious decline in South Australia’s turtle populations.
This project will increase awareness about the plight of turtles in South Australia as well as continue research about turtles and their threats, undertake priority on-ground actions, and develop a management plan that will guide the future conservation of freshwater turtles across SA. The project is a partnership between a large and diverse range of passionate people and organisations, including landscape boards, First Nations, citizen scientists, non -government organisations, councils and landholders.
This project is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board with funding from the South Australian Government’s Landscape Priorities Fund.
