Importance of maintenance

Part of the Western Pond turtles diet consists of decomposed and decaying organisms such as fish. This helps lower the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, and increases nutrient cycling. Without these turtles, many ponds would be filled with decaying organisms that could be disruptive to the ecosystem. While there is no data to prove this, the turtles extinction would likely increase the abundance of insects around their habitat. Making changes to these turtles habitat could be very harmful to this species, any interaction with the turtle's ecosystems must be done with care if this species is to continue existence.

Three Western Pond Turtles enjoying life
and basking in the sun