Ecologists from the Federal University of Goiás in Brazil have found that the construction of new hydroelectric dams in the south of the country threatens 30% of the habitat of the endangered freshwater Williams turtle. To work published In the scientific journal Journal of Applied Ecology (JAE).
Williams’ turtles are found only in certain areas of the Atlantic rainforest and the Pampa (a region bordering Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina).
The main method used by the authors was to compile georeferenced data obtained from the National Electricity Agency (ANEEL) on the species’ potential habitat for hydroelectric power plants. The analysis covered 687 hydropower projects; Of these, 406 power plants were in operation, 48 were under construction and 233 were in the planning stage.
The researchers found that hydroelectric projects and reservoirs overlap with areas highly suitable for Williams turtles. The problem will worsen with the emergence of small hydroelectric power plants in the coming years. The area affected by these will be almost equal to the areas affected by large hydroelectric power plants.
Hydroelectric dams flood animal habitats and eliminate streams that turtles need. As a result, reptiles try to migrate to find more suitable places to live, but are often unable to do so due to dams. As the number of hydroelectric power plants increases, it becomes increasingly difficult for Williams turtles to find a new home.
“Our study is the first to comprehensively examine the impact of hydropower development on these species. The results can help plan how to reduce the impact of hydropower expansion on these freshwater turtles. The same method can be used to study other endangered species,” said Professor Andre, author of the scientific study Louis Regolin.
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