Journal of Ecology and Environment

The Ecological Society of Korea (한국생태학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Population dynamics of the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) with changes in the population dependent carrying capacity in Republic of Korea

  • Wi, Yunju (Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Oh, Gyujin (Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Kang, Hee-Jin (School of Biological of Sciences and Biotechnology, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Sung, Ha-Cheol (Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Cheon, Seung-ju (School of Biological of Sciences and Biotechnology, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Jin, Hong-Sung (Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Chonnam National University)
  • Received : 2021.09.28
  • Accepted : 2021.11.30
  • Published : 2022.03.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Background: In this study, we proposed that the population dynamics of non-native red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) depends on the species' habitat extension and survivorship. We used a logistic equation with time-dependent habitat carrying capacity. In detail, the present carrying capacity depends on the red-eared slider population of the previous year. Anthropogenic activities such as the abandonment of previously captive red-eared sliders or the release due to religion customs would supply new habitats to the species. Therefore we assumed that anthropogenic spread increases the habitat carrying capacity. Based on the urbanization increase rate of 3% in Korea from 1980 to 2000, we assumed an annual spread of 3% to simulate the population dynamics of the red-eared slider. In addition, the effect on the population of an increase of natural habitats due to migration was simulated. Results: The close relationship between the distributions of non-native red-eared sliders and of urbanized areas demonstrates that urbanization plays an important role in providing new habitats for released individuals. Depending on the survivorship, the population of the red-eared slider in Korea increased 1.826 to 3.577 times between 1980 and 2000. To control population growth, it is necessary to reduce carrying capacity by reducing habitat expansion through prohibition of release into the wild ecosystem and careful managements of the wetland or artificial ponds. Changes in the habitat carrying capacity showed that the population fluctuated every other year. However, after several years, it converged to a consistent value which depended on the survivorship. Further, our results showed that if red-eared sliders expand their habitat by natural migration, their population can increase to a greater number than when they have a 99% survivorship in a fixed habitat. Conclusions: Further introductions of red-eared sliders into wetlands or artificial ponds should be prohibited and managed to prevent future spread of the species. Moreover, it is important to reduce the species' survivorship by restoring disturbed ecosystems and maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank the reviewers for their thoughtful comments and efforts towards improving our manuscript.

References

  1. Alonso JC, Alonso JA, Bautista LM. Carrying capacity of staging areas and facultative migration extension in common cranes. J Appl Ecol. 1994;31(2):212-22. https://doi.org/10.2307/2404537.
  2. Cadi A, Delmas V, Prevot-Julliard AC, Joly P, Pieau C, Girondot M. Successful reproduction of the introduced slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) in the South of France. Aquatic Conserv: Mar Freshw Ecosyst. 2004;14(3):237-46. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.607.
  3. Donlan CJ, Martin PS. Role of ecological history in invasive species management and conservation. Conserv Biol. 2004;18(1):267-9. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3589138. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2004.00101.x
  4. Feldman ML. The red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) in New Zealand. Turtle Tortoise Newsl. 2007;10:15-8. https://doi.org/10.2744/1526-3096(2007)10[2:TNOCCA]2.0.CO;2.
  5. Gibbons JW. Life history and ecology of the slider turtle. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press; 1990.
  6. Gibbons JW. Movement patterns among turtle populations: applicability to management of the desert tortoise. Herpetologica. 1986;42(1):104-13.
  7. Huxel GR. Rapid displacement of native species by invasive species: effects of hybridization. Biol Conserv. 1999;89(2):143-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3207(98)00153-0.
  8. Jin HS, Han D, Kim JH, Shin HJ, Yoon YH, Han CH. Simulations of the population dynamics of jellyfish polyps living on artificial substrates in coastal areas. Thalassas. 2017;33(1):43-50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-016-0019-5.
  9. Jo SI, Na S, An CK, Kim HJ, Jeong YJ, Lim YM, et al. Comparison analysis for using the habitat pattern between the Korean endangered species, Mauremys reevesii, and the exotic species, Trachemys scripta elegans. Korean J Environ Ecol. 2017;31(4):397-408. https://doi.org/10.13047/KJEE.2017.31.4.397.
  10. Jung JH, Lee WS. Activity factors and differences in activity by period of red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) in Ansan Reed Wetland. Korean J Environ Ecol. 2019;33(6):645-53. https://doi.org/10.13047/KJEE.2019.33.6.645.
  11. Jung JH. Activity factors and diet analysis of the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemy scripta) in Ansan Reed Wetland Park [MS thesis]. Seoul: Seoul National University; 2014.
  12. Koo KS, Baek HJ, Kim SH, Jang HJ, Kim DI, Sung HC. First report on the natural movement of introduced turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans. Korean J Ecol Environ. 2019;52(1):9-12. https://doi.org/10.11614/KSL.2019.52.1.009.
  13. Koo KS, Chang MH, Song JY. A homerange study on the reeve's pond turtle (Chinemys reevesii) in the river environment. Korean Res Soc Herpetol. 2012;5:10.
  14. Koo KS, Kwon S, Do MS, Kim S. Distribution characteristics of exotic turtles in Korean wild- based on Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangnamdo. Korean J Ecol Environ. 2017;50(3):286-94. https://doi.org/10.11614/KSL.2017.50.3.286.
  15. Koo KS, Song S, Choi JH, Sung HC. Current distribution and status of non-native freshwater turtles in the wild, Republic of Korea. Sustainability. 2020;12(10):4042. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104042.
  16. Lee H, Kim SH, Kim DE, Lee DH, Kim YC, Lee CW, et al. Nationwide survey of non-native species in Korea (I). Seocheon: National Institute of Ecology; 2015. p. 1-342. Korean.
  17. Lowe S, Browne M, Boudjelas S, De Poorter M. 100 of the world's worst invasive species: a selection from the global invasive species database. Auckland: Invasive Species Specialist Group; 2000.
  18. Macrotrends. South Korea urban population 1960-2021. 2021. https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/KOR/south-korea/urban-population. Accessed 30 Aug 2021.
  19. Mehta SV, Haight RG, Homans FR, Polasky S, Venette RC. Optimal detection and control strategies for invasive species management. Ecol Econ. 2007;61(2-3):237-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2006.10.024.
  20. Ministry of Environment. Designation and notification of invasive alien species, Ministry of Environment notification 2016-112. 2016. https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000049651. Accessed 20 Jul 2021. Korean.
  21. Ministry of Environment. Ecosystem disturbing wildlife sourcebook. Gwacheon: Ministry of Environment; 2009. p. 1-138. Korean.
  22. Ministry of Environment. Establishment and management of monitoring system for ecosystem disturbance species. Sejong: Ministry of Environment; 2006. 212 p. Korean.
  23. Morreale SJ, Whitfield Gibbons J, Congdon JD. Significance of activity and movement in the yellow-bellied slider turtle (Pseudemys scripta). Can J Zool. 1984;62(6):1038-42. https://doi.org/10.1139/z84-148.
  24. Oh HS, Park SM, Pradeep A, Kim YK, Kim TW, Han SH. Distribution and status of the alien invasive red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) in Jeju Island, South Korea. Korean J Environ Biol. 2017;35(1):57-63. https://doi.org/10.11626/KJEB.2017.35.1.057.
  25. Perez-Santigosa N, Diaz-Paniagua C, Hidalgo-Vila J. The reproductive ecology of exotic Trachemys scripta elegans in an invaded area of southern Europe. Aquatic Conserv: Mar Freshw Ecosyst. 2008;18:1302-10. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.974.
  26. Reed RN, Gibbons W. Conservation status of live U.S. nonmarine turtles in domestic and international trade: a report. Arlington: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 2003.
  27. Shea K, Chesson P. Community ecology theory as a framework for biological invasions. Trends Ecol Evol. 2002;17(4):170-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-5347(02)02495-3.
  28. Taniguchi M, Lovich JE, Mine K, Ueno S, Kamezaki N. Unusual population attributes of invasive red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) in Japan: do they have a performance advantage? Aquat Invasions. 2017;12(1):97-108. https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2017.12.1.10.
  29. Warwick C, Steedman C, Holford T. Ecological implications of the redeared turtle trade. Texas J Sci. 1990;42(4):419-22.
  30. Yukalov VI, Yukalova EP, Sornette D. Extreme events in population dynamics with functional carrying capacity. Eur Phys J Spec Top. 2012;205:313-54. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2012-01577-3.