A new population study of freshwater turtles in the Heart Lake wetland complex has led to some surprising results.

It might be a shock to some, but Brampton is home to a thriving freshwater turtle population, according to a new study conducted by Marc Dupuis-Desormeaux, a wildlife biologist at York University.

The study was conducted throughout the past year, in the Heart Lake complex, which covers about 100 hectares, and a series of smaller interconnected wetlands.

The study saw the capture (and release) of 431 turtles of various species.

“We were pleasantly surprised, considering how much damage the population has suffered,” Dupuis-Desormeaux said. “It’s pretty much a gem in the Brampton landscape.”

Dupuis-Desormeaux and his team noted a healthy and robust population of Midland painted and snapping turtles surrounding the Heart Lake area.

The study also found females of two species of turtles — northern map and eastern musk — which had never been recorded in the area.

The last recorded sighting of a northern map in Peel Region was 1987, and the eastern musk’s last sighting was in 1969.

However, the study wasn’t all good news, as Dupuis-Desormeaux notes.

It showed that as researchers went beyond the Heart Lake area, the number of turtles started to steadily decline.

“Wetlands that are further off suffer a lot more than the other ones,” he said.

Dupuis-Desormeaux said this is because those wetlands are becoming increasingly isolated, due to development and road construction.

Another reason, which has resulted in a larger male population, is that females who nest in the sandy area beside roadways are being run over.

The study found that approximately 10,000 vehicles travel on Heart Lake Road on a daily basis.

“It’s a slow but constant extinction process,” said Dupuis-Desormeaux.

Ontario is home to eight species of turtles, all of which are listed as “species at risk.”

Freshwater turtles are essential to a healthy ecosystem because they are nutrient recyclers, seed dispersers and regulators of soil dynamics.

Brampton is one of the nation’s fastest-growing municipalities, and it’s estimated it will have a population of more than 750,000 by 2031.

Because of this, it faces a unique urban challenge.

The Heart Lake Conservation Area is one of the least developed areas in the city, and there is already a 600-unit development and business park proposal for the area.

Further development and urbanization will negatively affect the turtles and other wildlife in the area.

The city, along with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, has been making strides toward protection, with the installation of fencing and nesting beaches, something that Dupuis-Desormeaux said is “crucial” but, unfortunately, not enough.

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“There’s nothing being done north of Countryside Drive to Mayfield Road, if you extend south of Sandalwood Parkway,” Dupuis-Desormeaux said.

Dupuis-Desormeaux said it’s a big issue.

“Heart Lake Road, basically, cuts through the wetland, in half. It would be great when you have development in mind that you put in fencing and extra nesting beaches. That would be helpful.”

Sabrina Gamrot is a reporter with the Mississauga News and Brampton Guardian. Reach her via email: sgamrot@mississauga.net

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