Contribution to the current distribution, ecology and conservation of the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) in Bela Krajina (SE Slovenia) | Prispevek k recentni razširjenosti, ekologiji in varstvu močvirske sklednice Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) v Beli krajini (JV Slovenija)

English. Although the European pond turtle is widespread in Bela krajina according to old data, very few recent data are available on its natural history and ecology from this region. Our goal was to determine the population structure of the European pond turtle of Bela krajina and its recent distribution. To do this, we caught and marked 48 individuals in the years 2008-2012. The European pond turtle was found in native and human-made water bodies of four areas. 40% of all caught individuals were up to 10 years of age. We confirmed reproduction at five localities (Prilozje, Zjot, Golek, oxbows of the Obrh stream, Nerajec) and registered nesting sites at ponds Golek and Gornji kal. The allochthonous red-eared slider turtle and yellow-bellied slider were also present at three localities. Our results indicate that the most stable population was found in the upper reaches of the Lahinja River, followed by oxbows of the Obrh stream near Metlika, and the environs of Prilozje and Hrast villages. We additionally present our conservation views and propose the Natura 2000 network to be expanded for this species.

Slovenian. V Beli krajini je močvirska sklednica glede na starejše podatke splošno razširjena, toda novejših podatkov o razširjenosti za to vrsto ni, kaj šele podatkov o njeni ekologiji. Med letoma 2008 in 2012 smo raziskali ekologijo, stanje populacije in razširjenost te vrste v Beli krajini na stoječih vodah in izvirih. Vrsta je bila potrjena v primarnih in sekundarnih vodnih habitatih na štirih večjih območjih. Od 48 ujetih želv jih 40 % spada med osebke, stare do deset let. Razmnoževanje smo potrdili na petih lokacijah (Prilozje, Zjot, Golek, mrtvica Obrha, Nerajec). V kalu Golek in Gornjem kalu smo zabeležili mesta, kjer želve odlagajo jajca. Na treh lokacijah smo potrdili tudi tujerodno rdečevratko in na eni rumenovratko. Na podlagi števila osebkov, starostne sestave in potrjenega razmnoževanja je populacija v zgornjem toku reke Lahinje najbolj vitalna, sledijo mrtvice Obrha pri Metliki, okolica naselja Prilozje in okolica Hrasta. V prispevku so podani tudi naravovarstveni pogledi in predlogi za razširitev omrežja NATURA 2000.