Ecological importance
Photo: Sandy McRuer
Western Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) have been consistently sighted historically in the Burde Beaver Ponds by local photographers and nature club members.
The Pacific Coast population of the Western Painted Turtle is listed as Endangered under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) and is provincially Red-listed in British Columbia.
Photo: Sandy McRuer
The Northern Red-Legged Frog is listed as Special Concern under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). It is vulnerable to habitat disruption and invasive species such as American bullfrogs.
The Province of BC lists the population of Northern Red-Legged Frogs as Blue-listed.
Key human threats identified are the destruction and fragmentation of aquatic and riparian habitats due to development pressures. Road expansion can also cause these highly vulnerable species to be struck and killed, especially females in search of terrestrial nesting grounds and hatchlings moving overland.
“Although most nesting and terrestrial movements occur within 150 m of aquatic habitat, characteristics of terrestrial habitat up to approximately 340 m from the water’s edge can be integral to the survival and population maintenance of most freshwater turtle species, including Western Painted Turtles.”Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) Pacific Coast population: recovery strategy proposed 2018 — Table 2
British Columbia’s October 2015 management plan for the Northern Red-Legged Frog (Rana aurora) outlines strategies to maintain self-sustaining, ecologically functioning populations across its native range.
Protection needs to include aquatic and terrestrial habitats and migration corridors. Individuals may disperse up to 5 kilometres from their breeding pools. Protecting these lands would support stewardship and conservation efforts.
Local populations of Western Painted Turtles and Northern Red-Legged Frogs need stronger habitat protection.