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Fuentes MMPB, Santos AJB, Abreu-Grobois A, Briseño-Dueñas R, Al-Khayat J, Hamza S, Saliba S, Anderson D, Rusenko KW, Mitchell NJ, Gammon M, Bentley BP, Beton D, Booth DTB, Broderick AC, Colman LP, Snape RTE, Calderon-Campuzano MF, Cuevas E, Lopez-Castro MC, Flores-Aguirre CD, Mendez de la Cruz F, Segura-Garcia Y, Ruiz-Garcia A, Fossette S, Gatto CR, Reina RD, Girondot M, Godfrey M, Guzman-Hernandez V, Hart CE, Kaska Y, Lara PH, Marcovaldi MAGD, LeBlanc AM, Rostal D, Liles MJ, Wyneken J, Lolavar A, Williamson SA, Manoharakrishnan M, Pusapati C, Chatting M, Mohd Salleh S, Patricio AR, Regalla A, Restrepo J, Garcia R, Santidrián Tomillo P, Sezgin C, Shanker K, Tapilatu F, Turkozan O, Valverde RA, Williams K, Yilmaz C, Tolen N, Nel R, Tucek J, Legouvello D, Rivas ML, Gaspar C, Touron M, Genet Q, Salmon M, Araujo MR, Freire JB, Castheloge VD, Jesus PR, Ferreira PD, Paladino FV, Montero-Flores D, Sozbilen D, Monsinjon JR. Adaptation of sea turtles to climate warming: Will phenological responses be sufficient to counteract changes in reproductive output? GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e16991. [PMID: 37905464 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Sea turtles are vulnerable to climate change since their reproductive output is influenced by incubating temperatures, with warmer temperatures causing lower hatching success and increased feminization of embryos. Their ability to cope with projected increases in ambient temperatures will depend on their capacity to adapt to shifts in climatic regimes. Here, we assessed the extent to which phenological shifts could mitigate impacts from increases in ambient temperatures (from 1.5 to 3°C in air temperatures and from 1.4 to 2.3°C in sea surface temperatures by 2100 at our sites) on four species of sea turtles, under a "middle of the road" scenario (SSP2-4.5). Sand temperatures at sea turtle nesting sites are projected to increase from 0.58 to 4.17°C by 2100 and expected shifts in nesting of 26-43 days earlier will not be sufficient to maintain current incubation temperatures at 7 (29%) of our sites, hatching success rates at 10 (42%) of our sites, with current trends in hatchling sex ratio being able to be maintained at half of the sites. We also calculated the phenological shifts that would be required (both backward for an earlier shift in nesting and forward for a later shift) to keep up with present-day incubation temperatures, hatching success rates, and sex ratios. The required shifts backward in nesting for incubation temperatures ranged from -20 to -191 days, whereas the required shifts forward ranged from +54 to +180 days. However, for half of the sites, no matter the shift the median incubation temperature will always be warmer than the 75th percentile of current ranges. Given that phenological shifts will not be able to ameliorate predicted changes in temperature, hatching success and sex ratio at most sites, turtles may need to use other adaptive responses and/or there is the need to enhance sea turtle resilience to climate warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M P B Fuentes
- Marine Turtle Research, Ecology, and Conservation Group, Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - A J B Santos
- Marine Turtle Research, Ecology, and Conservation Group, Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - A Abreu-Grobois
- Unidad Academica Mazatlan, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnologia, UNAM, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - R Briseño-Dueñas
- Unidad Academica Mazatlan, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnologia, UNAM, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - J Al-Khayat
- Environmental Science Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - S Hamza
- Environmental Science Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - S Saliba
- Environmental Science Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - D Anderson
- Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
| | - K W Rusenko
- Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
| | - N J Mitchell
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - M Gammon
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - B P Bentley
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - D Beton
- Society for Protection of Turtles, Gonyeli, Northern Cyprus
| | - D T B Booth
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - A C Broderick
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - L P Colman
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - R T E Snape
- Society for Protection of Turtles, Gonyeli, Northern Cyprus
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - M F Calderon-Campuzano
- Programa de Protección y Conservación de Tortugas Marinas, Convenio FONATUR-Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología-UNAM, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - E Cuevas
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanologicas, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | - M C Lopez-Castro
- Pronatura Península de Yucatán, A. C. Programa para la Conservación de la Tortuga Marina, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - C D Flores-Aguirre
- Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - F Mendez de la Cruz
- Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Y Segura-Garcia
- Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - A Ruiz-Garcia
- Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - S Fossette
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, Western Australia, Australia
| | - C R Gatto
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - R D Reina
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - M Girondot
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - M Godfrey
- North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Beaufort, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - C E Hart
- Centro de Investigaciones Oceánicas del Mar de Cortés-Gran Acuario de Mazatlán, Mazatlán, Mexico
| | - Y Kaska
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - P H Lara
- Fundação Projeto Tamar, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | | | - A M LeBlanc
- Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia, USA
| | - D Rostal
- Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia, USA
| | - M J Liles
- Asociacion ProCosta, San Salvador, El Salvador
| | - J Wyneken
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
| | - A Lolavar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
| | - S A Williamson
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
| | | | | | - M Chatting
- Environmental Science Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S Mohd Salleh
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - A R Patricio
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET-Aquatic Research Network, Ispa-Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A Regalla
- Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas Protegidas, Dr. Alfredo Simão da Silva (IBAP), Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - J Restrepo
- Sea Turtle Conservancy, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - R Garcia
- Sea Turtle Conservancy, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | - C Sezgin
- Sea Turtle Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (DEKAMER), Mugla, Turkey
| | - K Shanker
- Dakshin Foundation, Bangalore, India
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - F Tapilatu
- Research Center of Pacific Marine Resources-University of Papua (UNIPA), Manokwari, Papua Barat, Indonesia
| | - O Turkozan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey
| | - R A Valverde
- Sea Turtle Conservancy, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, Louisiana, USA
| | - K Williams
- Caretta Research Project, Savannah, Georgia, USA
| | - C Yilmaz
- Hakkari University, Vocational School of Health Services, Hakkari, Turkey
| | - N Tolen
- Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Malaysia
| | - R Nel
- Department of Zoology, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
| | - J Tucek
- Department of Zoology, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
| | - D Legouvello
- Department of Zoology, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
| | - M L Rivas
- Department of Biology, University of Cadiz, Cadiz, Spain
| | - C Gaspar
- Te Mana O Te Moana, Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia
| | - M Touron
- Te Mana O Te Moana, Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia
| | - Q Genet
- Te Mana O Te Moana, Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia
| | - M Salmon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
| | - M R Araujo
- Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, San Salvador, El Salvador
| | - J B Freire
- Fundação Espírito Santense de Tecnologia-FEST, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | | | - P R Jesus
- Econservation Estudos e Projetos Ambientais, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - P D Ferreira
- Departamento de Gemologia, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - F V Paladino
- Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
| | | | - D Sozbilen
- Department of Veterinary, Acıpayam Vocational School, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - J R Monsinjon
- Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER), Délégation Océan Indien (DOI), Le Port, La Réunion, France
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Mancino C, Hochscheid S, Maiorano L. Increase of nesting habitat suitability for green turtles in a warming Mediterranean Sea. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19906. [PMID: 38062052 PMCID: PMC10703824 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46958-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change is reshaping global ecosystems at an unprecedented rate, with major impacts on biodiversity. Therefore, understanding how organisms can withstand change is key to identify priority conservation objectives. Marine ectotherms are being extremely impacted because their biology and phenology are directly related to temperature. Among these species, sea turtles are particularly problematic because they roam over both marine and terrestrial habitats throughout their life cycles. Focusing on green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Mediterranean Sea, we investigated the future potential changes of nesting grounds through time, assuming that marine turtles would shift their nesting locations. We modeled the current distribution of nesting grounds including both terrestrial and marine variables, and we projected the potential nesting distribution across the Mediterranean basin under alternative future greenhouse gas emission scenario (2000-2100). Our models show an increase in nesting probability in the western Mediterranean Sea, irrespective of the climate scenario we consider. Contrary to what is found in most global change studies, the worse the climate change scenario, the more suitable areas for green turtles will potentially increase. The most important predictors were anthropogenic variables, which negatively affect nesting probability, and sea surface temperature, positively linked to nesting probability, up to a maximum of 24-25 °C. The importance of the western Mediterranean beaches as potential nesting areas for sea turtles in the near future clearly call for a proactive conservation and management effort, focusing on monitoring actions (to document the potential range expansion) and threat detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Mancino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies ''Charles Darwin'', Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Dell'Università 32, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Sandra Hochscheid
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Department of Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, Italy
| | - Luigi Maiorano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies ''Charles Darwin'', Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Dell'Università 32, 00185, Rome, Italy
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Mazaris AD, Dimitriadis C, Papazekou M, Schofield G, Doxa A, Chatzimentor A, Turkozan O, Katsanevakis S, Lioliou A, Abalo-Morla S, Aksissou M, Arcangeli A, Attard V, El Hili HA, Atzori F, Belda EJ, Ben Nakhla L, Berbash AA, Bjorndal KA, Broderick AC, Camiñas JA, Candan O, Cardona L, Cetkovic I, Dakik N, de Lucia GA, Dimitrakopoulos PG, Diryaq S, Favilli C, Fortuna CM, Fuller WJ, Gallon S, Hamza A, Jribi I, Ben Ismail M, Kamarianakis Y, Kaska Y, Korro K, Koutsoubas D, Lauriano G, Lazar B, March D, Marco A, Minotou C, Monsinjon JR, Naguib NM, Palialexis A, Piroli V, Sami K, Sönmez B, Sourbès L, Sözbilen D, Vandeperre F, Vignes P, Xanthakis M, Köpsel V, Peck MA. Priorities for Mediterranean marine turtle conservation and management in the face of climate change. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 339:117805. [PMID: 37043912 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
As climate-related impacts threaten marine biodiversity globally, it is important to adjust conservation efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. Translating scientific knowledge into practical management, however, is often complicated due to resource, economic and policy constraints, generating a knowledge-action gap. To develop potential solutions for marine turtle conservation, we explored the perceptions of key actors across 18 countries in the Mediterranean. These actors evaluated their perceived relative importance of 19 adaptation and mitigation measures that could safeguard marine turtles from climate change. Of importance, despite differences in expertise, experience and focal country, the perceptions of researchers and management practitioners largely converged with respect to prioritizing adaptation and mitigation measures. Climate change was considered to have the greatest impacts on offspring sex ratios and suitable nesting sites. The most viable adaptation/mitigation measures were considered to be reducing other pressures that act in parallel to climate change. Ecological effectiveness represented a key determinant for implementing proposed measures, followed by practical applicability, financial cost, and societal cost. This convergence in opinions across actors likely reflects long-standing initiatives in the Mediterranean region towards supporting knowledge exchange in marine turtle conservation. Our results provide important guidance on how to prioritize measures that incorporate climate change in decision-making processes related to the current and future management and protection of marine turtles at the ocean-basin scale, and could be used to guide decisions in other regions globally. Importantly, this study demonstrates a successful example of how interactive processes can be used to fill the knowledge-action gap between research and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios D Mazaris
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Charalampos Dimitriadis
- Management Unit of Zakynthos and Ainos National Parks and Protected Areas of the Ionian Islands, Zakynthos, Greece
| | - Maria Papazekou
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Gail Schofield
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Aggeliki Doxa
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; Institute of Applied and Computational Mathematics, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Anastasia Chatzimentor
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Oguz Turkozan
- Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Aydın, Turkiye
| | | | - Aphrodite Lioliou
- Managing Authority of European Territorial Cooperation Programmes (INTERREG), Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Sara Abalo-Morla
- Institut d' Investigació per a La Gestió de Zones Costaneres (IGIC), Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain; Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo (COV-IEO), CSIC, Vigo, Spain
| | - Mustapha Aksissou
- Laboratoire Ecologie, Systématique, Conservation de La Biodiversité (LESCB), Faculté des Sciences de Tétouan, Université Abdelmalek Essaâdi, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Antonella Arcangeli
- Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research - ISPRA, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabrizio Atzori
- Marine Protected Area Capo Carbonara, Villasimius, Sardinia, Italy
| | - Eduardo J Belda
- Institut d' Investigació per a La Gestió de Zones Costaneres (IGIC), Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
| | - Lobna Ben Nakhla
- Specially Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (UNEP/MAP-SPA/RAC), Tunisia
| | - Ali A Berbash
- Protected Area and Biodiversity Section, Nature Conservation Department, Ministry of Environment, Libya
| | - Karen A Bjorndal
- Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Juan A Camiñas
- Asociación Herpetológica Española (AHE), Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain
| | - Onur Candan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkiye
| | - Luis Cardona
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ilija Cetkovic
- University of Montenegro - Institute of Marine Biology, Kotor, Montenegro
| | - Nabigha Dakik
- Management Unit of Tyre Coast Nature Reserve, Tyre, Lebanon
| | - Giuseppe Andrea de Lucia
- IAS-CNR, Institute of Anthropic Impact and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council Oristano Section, Torregrande, Italy
| | | | - Salih Diryaq
- Ministry of Environment - Sirte Branch, Sirte, Libya
| | | | | | - Wayne J Fuller
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | | | - Imed Jribi
- Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Manel Ben Ismail
- Iberostar Group - Sustainability Department - Wave of Change, Hammamet, Tunisia; Notre Grand Bleu Association, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Yiannis Kamarianakis
- Institute of Applied and Computational Mathematics, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Yakup Kaska
- Pamukkale University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Denizli, Turkiye; Sea Turtle Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (DEKAMER), Muğla, Turkiye
| | - Kastriot Korro
- Wildlife and Health Research Center, Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Drosos Koutsoubas
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, Mytilene, Greece
| | - Giancarlo Lauriano
- Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research - ISPRA, Rome, Italy
| | - Bojan Lazar
- Department of Biodiversity, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia; Marine Science Program, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Pula, Croatia
| | - David March
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, UK; Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Adolfo Marco
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/Américo Vespucio, S/n, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | | | - Nahla M Naguib
- Biodiversity Department, Nature Conservation Sector, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), Egypt
| | | | - Vilma Piroli
- University of Shkodra "Luigj Gurakuqi", Shkoder, Albania
| | - Karaa Sami
- Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de La Mer Tunisie, Tunisia
| | - Bektaş Sönmez
- Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Suşehri Timur Karabal Vocational School, Suşehri, Sivas, Turkiye
| | - Laurent Sourbès
- Management Unit of Zakynthos and Ainos National Parks and Protected Areas of the Ionian Islands, Zakynthos, Greece
| | - Doğan Sözbilen
- Pamukkale University, Acipayam Vocational School, Veterinary Department, Denizli, Turkiye
| | - Frederic Vandeperre
- Institute of Marine Sciences - Okeanos, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Pierre Vignes
- Faculty of Education, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Michail Xanthakis
- Management Unit of Zakynthos and Ainos National Parks and Protected Areas of the Ionian Islands, Zakynthos, Greece
| | - Vera Köpsel
- Institut für Marine Ökosystem- und Fischereiwissenschaften (IMF), Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Myron A Peck
- Department of Coastal Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Burg, (Texel), Netherlands
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Catron S, Roth S, Zumpano F, Bintz J, Fordyce JA, Lenhart S, Miller DL, Wyneken J. Modeling the impacts of temperature during nesting seasons on Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) Sea Turtle populations in South Florida. Ecol Modell 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2023.110363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
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Rivas ML, Rodríguez-Caballero E, Esteban N, Carpio AJ, Barrera-Vilarmau B, Fuentes MMPB, Robertson K, Azanza J, León Y, Ortega Z. Uncertain future for global sea turtle populations in face of sea level rise. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5277. [PMID: 37081050 PMCID: PMC10119306 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31467-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Sea level rise has accelerated during recent decades, exceeding rates recorded during the previous two millennia, and as a result many coastal habitats and species around the globe are being impacted. This situation is expected to worsen due to anthropogenically induced climate change. However, the magnitude and relevance of expected increase in sea level rise (SLR) is uncertain for marine and terrestrial species that are reliant on coastal habitat for foraging, resting or breeding. To address this, we showcase the use of a low-cost approach to assess the impacts of SLR on sea turtles under various Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) SLR scenarios on different sea turtle nesting rookeries worldwide. The study considers seven sea turtle rookeries with five nesting species, categorized from vulnerable to critically endangered including leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Our approach combines freely available digital elevation models for continental and remote island beaches across different ocean basins with projections of field data and SLR. Our case study focuses on five of the seven living sea turtle species. Under moderate climate change scenarios, by 2050 it is predicted that at some sea turtle nesting habitats 100% will be flooded, and under an extreme scenario many sea turtle rookeries could vanish. Overall, nesting beaches with low slope and those species nesting at open beaches such as leatherback and loggerheads sea turtles might be the most vulnerable by future SLR scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marga L Rivas
- Biology Department, Marine Research Institute INMAR, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain.
| | - Emilio Rodríguez-Caballero
- Agronomy Department of the University of Almería and Research Centre for Scientific Collections from the University of Almería (CECOUAL), Almería, Spain
| | - Nicole Esteban
- Bioscience Department, Swansea University, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Antonio J Carpio
- SaBio Research Group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | | | - Mariana M P B Fuentes
- Marine Turtle Research, Ecology and Conservation Group, Department of Earth Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Katharine Robertson
- Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Yolanda León
- Technological Institute of Santo Domingo INTEC, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Zaida Ortega
- Department of Ecology and Conservation, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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6
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Turtles in Malaysia: A Review of Conservation Status and a Call for Research. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172184. [PMID: 36077905 PMCID: PMC9454601 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Turtles are threatened all over the world. Malaysia has 24 species of turtles. This review focuses on current conservation status and some requirements for sustainability. We propose integrating concepts of ecology and molecular biology to provide almost comprehensive turtle reviews in Malaysia. Abstract Approximately 356 species of turtles inhabit saltwater and freshwater habitats globally, except in Antarctica. Twenty-four species of turtles have been reported in Malaysia, four of which are sea turtles. The state of Terengganu harbored the highest number of turtles, with 17 different reported species. Based on the IUCN Red List, 29% of turtle species in Malaysia are critically endangered. In comparison, another 25% are classified as endangered. Likewise, CITES reported that 67% of Malaysia’s turtles are threatened, while 25% are classified as critically endangered. This review discusses the checklists, molecular genetics work, conservation status, recent trends, and recommendations for future research. Factors contributing to their population declines and current endangered status are also discussed.
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Gravelle J, Wyneken J. Resilient Eggs: Highly Successful Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting Sites Vary in Their Characteristics. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.853835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sea turtle nest success, defined as the number of eggs in a nest that successfully hatch and emerge, is closely linked to environmental conditions. Interacting biotic and abiotic factors influence hatching and hatchling emergence success. To date, combinations of multiple factors interacting together, which result in highly successful sea turtle nests are not well understood. Using 25 years of historic nest data and local expert experience, we identified five historically successful loggerhead (Caretta caretta) nesting beaches (hotspots) along the Florida (United States) Atlantic coast and measured nest environments along with the nest success. Principal component analysis was used to reduce 12 environmental variables so that the relative contributions of sand characteristics, nest temperatures, sand moisture, and nest location were considered. The nest environments differed among nesting beaches and were broadly segregated into two distinct climates: subtropical (hot and humid) and warm-temperate (warm and dry). We found that nests at subtropical sites, compared with warm-temperate sites, were characterized by environmental gradients in contrasting ways. Nest locations were predominantly mid-beach in subtropical sites but clustered at higher elevations and closer to the base of the dune at warm-temperate climate sites. Collectively, highly successful nest hotspots represent a mosaic of abiotic factors providing conditions that promote successful hatching and emergence. This new perspective on consistently successful loggerhead nesting beach traits demonstrate that the key traits of sea turtle nesting habitat vary with prevailing climate type and should be managed accordingly.
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8
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van de Geer CH, Bourjea J, Broderick AC, Dalleau M, Fernandes RS, Harris LR, Inteca GE, Kiponda FK, Louro CMM, Mortimer JA, Msangameno D, Mwasi LD, Nel R, Okemwa GM, Olendo M, Pereira MAM, Rees AF, Silva I, Singh S, West L, Williams JL, Godley BJ. Marine turtles of the African east coast: current knowledge and priorities for conservation and research. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2022. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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9
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Shift in demographic structure and increased reproductive activity of loggerhead turtles in the French Mediterranean Sea revealed by long-term monitoring. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23164. [PMID: 34848795 PMCID: PMC8633381 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02629-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate-induced environmental changes are profoundly impacting marine ecosystems and altering species distribution worldwide. Migratory organisms, including sea turtles, are expected to be particularly sensitive to these variations. Here, we studied changes in the size structure and reproductive activity of loggerhead turtles in the French Mediterranean over 30 years. Overall, there was a significant increase in the size of observed loggerheads between 1990 and 2020. However, this increase was only significant during the breeding/nesting season (May to September) and was driven by the increased presence of adults. Furthermore, nesting activity along the French coast was detected in 2002 for the first time in more than 50 years, and has become frequent after 2014, with nests discovered every year. The number of eggs laid as well as incubation duration and success varied among sites but fell within the range reported at established Mediterranean nesting sites. These observations, along with recent reports of breeding activity and evidence of significant sea surface warming, suggest that the north-western Mediterranean basin has become increasingly suitable to loggerhead turtles. We postulate that this range expansion is the result of climate change and propose that emerging nesting activity in France should be closely monitored and guarded against human activities.
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10
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Patrício AR, Hawkes LA, Monsinjon JR, Godley BJ, Fuentes MMPB. Climate change and marine turtles: recent advances and future directions. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2021. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change is a threat to marine turtles that is expected to affect all of their life stages. To guide future research, we conducted a review of the most recent literature on this topic, highlighting knowledge gains and research gaps since a similar previous review in 2009. Most research has been focussed on the terrestrial life history phase, where expected impacts will range from habitat loss and decreased reproductive success to feminization of populations, but changes in reproductive periodicity, shifts in latitudinal ranges, and changes in foraging success are all expected in the marine life history phase. Models have been proposed to improve estimates of primary sex ratios, while technological advances promise a better understanding of how climate can influence different life stages and habitats. We suggest a number of research priorities for an improved understanding of how climate change may impact marine turtles, including: improved estimates of primary sex ratios, assessments of the implications of female-biased sex ratios and reduced male production, assessments of the variability in upper thermal limits of clutches, models of beach sediment movement under sea level rise, and assessments of impacts on foraging grounds. Lastly, we suggest that it is not yet possible to recommend manipulating aspects of turtle nesting ecology, as the evidence base with which to understand the results of such interventions is not robust enough, but that strategies for mitigation of stressors should be helpful, providing they consider the synergistic effects of climate change and other anthropogenic-induced threats to marine turtles, and focus on increasing resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- AR Patrício
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - LA Hawkes
- Hatherley Laboratories, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Streatham Campus, Exeter EX4 4PS, UK
| | - JR Monsinjon
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6139, South Africa
| | - BJ Godley
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - MMPB Fuentes
- Marine Turtle Research, Ecology and Conservation Group, Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
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11
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Maurer AS, Seminoff JA, Layman CA, Stapleton SP, Godfrey MH, Reiskind MOB. Population Viability of Sea Turtles in the Context of Global Warming. Bioscience 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biab028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Sea turtles present a model for the potential impacts of climate change on imperiled species, with projected warming generating concern about their persistence. Various sea turtle life-history traits are affected by temperature; most strikingly, warmer egg incubation temperatures cause female-biased sex ratios and higher embryo mortality. Predictions of sea turtle resilience to climate change are often focused on how resulting male limitation or reduced offspring production may affect populations. In the present article, by reviewing research on sea turtles, we provide an overview of how temperature impacts on incubating eggs may cascade through life history to ultimately affect population viability. We explore how sex-specific patterns in survival and breeding periodicity determine the differences among offspring, adult, and operational sex ratios. We then discuss the implications of skewed sex ratios for male-limited reproduction, consider the negative correlation between sex ratio skew and genetic diversity, and examine consequences for adaptive potential. Our synthesis underscores the importance of considering the effects of climate throughout the life history of any species. Lethal effects (e.g., embryo mortality) are relatively direct impacts, but sublethal effects at immature life-history stages may not alter population growth rates until cohorts reach reproductive maturity. This leaves a lag during which some species transition through several stages subject to distinct biological circumstances and climate impacts. These perspectives will help managers conceptualize the drivers of emergent population dynamics and identify existing knowledge gaps under different scenarios of predicted environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S Maurer
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, in the United States; he is also a research associate with the Jumby Bay Hawksbill Project in Antigua, West Indies
| | - Jeffrey A Seminoff
- Marine Turtle Ecology and Assessment Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Craig A Layman
- Center for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability, Wake Forest University, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in the United States
| | - Seth P Stapleton
- Conservation and animal health sciences, Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, Minnesota; he is also an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the United States
| | - Matthew H Godfrey
- North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
| | - Martha O Burford Reiskind
- Martha Burford Reiskind is an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and the director of the Genetics and Genomics Scholars program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
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12
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Harrison CS, Luo JY, Putman NF, Li Q, Sheevam P, Krumhardt K, Stevens J, Long MC. Identifying global favourable habitat for early juvenile loggerhead sea turtles. J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20200799. [PMID: 33622144 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) nest globally on sandy beaches, with hatchlings dispersing into the open ocean. Where these juveniles go and what habitat they rely on remains a critical research question for informing conservation priorities. Here a high-resolution Earth system model is used to determine the biophysical geography of favourable ocean habitat for loggerhead sea turtles globally during their first year of life on the basis of ocean current transport, thermal constraints and food availability (defined here as the summed lower trophic level carbon biomass). Dispersal is simulated from eight major nesting sites distributed across the globe in four representative years using particle tracking. Dispersal densities are identified for all turtles, and for the top 15% 'best-fed' turtles that have not encountered metabolically unfavourable temperatures. We find that, globally, rookeries are positioned to disperse to regions where the lower trophic biomass is greatest within loggerheads' thermal range. Six out of the eight nesting sites are associated with strong coastal boundary currents that rapidly transport hatchlings to subtropical-subpolar gyre boundaries; narrow spatial migratory corridors exist for 'best-fed' turtles associated with these sites. Two other rookeries are located in exceptionally high-biomass tropical regions fuelled by natural iron fertilization. 'Best-fed' turtles tend to be associated with lower temperatures, highlighting the inverse relationship between temperature and lower trophic biomass. The annual mean isotherms between 20°C and the thermal tolerance of juvenile loggerheads are a rough proxy for favourable habitat for loggerheads from rookeries associated with boundary currents. Our results can be used to constrain regions for conservation efforts for each subpopulation, and better identify foraging habitat for this critical early life stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl S Harrison
- National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO 80305, USA.,Institute of Alpine and Arctic Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303, USA.,School of Earth Environmental and Marine Science, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, Port Isabel, TX 78578, USA
| | - Jessica Y Luo
- National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO 80305, USA.,NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | | | | | - Pooja Sheevam
- Institute of Alpine and Arctic Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303, USA.,Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Kristen Krumhardt
- National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO 80305, USA.,Institute of Alpine and Arctic Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Jessica Stevens
- School of Earth Environmental and Marine Science, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, Port Isabel, TX 78578, USA
| | - Matthew C Long
- National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO 80305, USA
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13
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Congenital Malformations in Sea Turtles: Puzzling Interplay between Genes and Environment. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020444. [PMID: 33567785 PMCID: PMC7915190 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Congenital malformations can lead to embryonic mortality in many species, and sea turtles are no exception. Genetic and/or environmental alterations occur during early development in the embryo, and may produce aberrant phenotypes, many of which are incompatible with life. Causes of malformations are multifactorial; genetic factors may include mutations, chromosomal aberrations, and inbreeding effects, whereas non-genetic factors may include nutrition, hyperthermia, low moisture, radiation, and contamination. It is possible to monitor and control some of these factors (such as temperature and humidity) in nesting beaches, and toxic compounds in feeding areas, which can be transferred to the embryo through their lipophilic properties. In this review, we describe possible causes of different types of malformations observed in sea turtle embryos, as well as some actions that may help reduce embryonic mortality. Abstract The completion of embryonic development depends, in part, on the interplay between genetic factors and environmental conditions, and any alteration during development may affect embryonic genetic and epigenetic regulatory pathways leading to congenital malformations, which are mostly incompatible with life. Oviparous reptiles, such as sea turtles, that produce numerous eggs in a clutch that is buried on the beach provide an opportunity to study embryonic mortality associated with malformations that occur at different times during development, or that prevent the hatchling from emerging from the nest. In sea turtles, the presence of congenital malformations frequently leads to mortality. A few years ago, a detailed study was performed on external congenital malformations in three species of sea turtles from the Mexican Pacific and Caribbean coasts, the hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata (n = 23,559 eggs), the green turtle, Chelonia mydas (n = 17,690 eggs), and the olive ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea (n = 20,257 eggs), finding 63 types of congenital malformations, of which 38 were new reports. Of the three species, the olive ridley showed a higher incidence of severe anomalies in the craniofacial region (49%), indicating alterations of early developmental pathways; however, several malformations were also observed in the body, including defects in the carapace (45%) and limbs (33%), as well as pigmentation disorders (20%), indicating that deviations occurred during the middle and later stages of development. Although intrinsic factors (i.e., genetic mutations or epigenetic modifications) are difficult to monitor in the field, some environmental factors (such as the incubation temperature, humidity, and probably the status of feeding areas) are, to some extent, less difficult to monitor and/or control. In this review, we describe the aetiology of different malformations observed in sea turtle embryos, and provide some actions that can reduce embryonic mortality.
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14
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Abstract
The use of drones to study marine animals shows promise for the examination of numerous aspects of their ecology, behaviour, health and movement patterns. However, the responses of some marine phyla to the presence of drones varies broadly, as do the general operational protocols used to study them. Inconsistent methodological approaches could lead to difficulties comparing studies and can call into question the repeatability of research. This review draws on current literature and researchers with a wealth of practical experience to outline the idiosyncrasies of studying various marine taxa with drones. We also outline current best practice for drone operation in marine environments based on the literature and our practical experience in the field. The protocols outlined herein will be of use to researchers interested in incorporating drones as a tool into their research on marine animals and will help form consistent approaches for drone-based studies in the future.
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15
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Abstract
Climate change is occurring at an unprecedented rate and has begun to modify the distribution and phenology of organisms worldwide. Chelonians are expected to be particularly vulnerable due to limited dispersal capabilities as well as widespread temperature-dependent sex determination. The number of papers published about the effects of climate change on turtles has increased exponentially over the last decade; here, I review the data from peer-reviewed publications to assess the likely impacts of climate change on individuals, populations, and communities. Based upon these studies future research should focus on: (1) Individual responses to climate change, particularly with respect to thermal biology, phenology, and microhabitat selection; (2) improving species distribution models by incorporating fine-scale environmental variables as well as physiological processes; (3) identifying the consequences of skewed sex ratios; and (4) assessments of community resilience and the development of methods to mitigate climate change impacts. Although detailed management recommendations are not possible at this point, careful consideration should be given regarding how to manage low vagility species as habitats shift poleward. In the worst-case scenario, proactive management may be required in order to ensure that widespread losses do not occur.
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16
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Liles MJ, Peterson TR, Seminoff JA, Gaos AR, Altamirano E, Henríquez AV, Gadea V, Chavarría S, Urteaga J, Wallace BP, Peterson MJ. Potential limitations of behavioral plasticity and the role of egg relocation in climate change mitigation for a thermally sensitive endangered species. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:1603-1622. [PMID: 30847059 PMCID: PMC6392375 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic climate change is widely considered a major threat to global biodiversity, such that the ability of a species to adapt will determine its likelihood of survival. Egg-burying reptiles that exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination, such as critically endangered hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), are particularly vulnerable to changes in thermal regimes because nest temperatures affect offspring sex, fitness, and survival. It is unclear whether hawksbills possess sufficient behavioral plasticity of nesting traits (i.e., redistribution of nesting range, shift in nesting phenology, changes in nest-site selection, and adjustment of nest depth) to persist within their climatic niche or whether accelerated changes in thermal conditions of nesting beaches will outpace phenotypic adaption and require human intervention. For these reasons, we estimated sex ratios and physical condition of hatchling hawksbills under natural and manipulated conditions and generated and analyzed thermal profiles of hawksbill nest environments within highly threatened mangrove ecosystems at Bahía de Jiquilisco, El Salvador, and Estero Padre Ramos, Nicaragua. Hawksbill clutches protected in situ at both sites incubated at higher temperatures, yielded lower hatching success, produced a higher percentage of female hatchlings, and produced less fit offspring than clutches relocated to hatcheries. We detected cooler sand temperatures in woody vegetation (i.e., coastal forest and small-scale plantations of fruit trees) and hatcheries than in other monitored nest environments, with higher temperatures at the deeper depth. Our findings indicate that mangrove ecosystems present a number of biophysical (e.g., insular nesting beaches and shallow water table) and human-induced (e.g., physical barriers and deforestation) constraints that, when coupled with the unique life history of hawksbills in this region, may limit behavioral compensatory responses by the species to projected temperature increases at nesting beaches. We contend that egg relocation can contribute significantly to recovery efforts in a changing climate under appropriate circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Liles
- Asociación ProCostaSan SalvadorEl Salvador
- Eastern Pacific Hawksbill InitiativeSan DiegoCalifornia
| | - Tarla Rai Peterson
- Department of Communication, Environmental Science and Engineering ProgramUniversity of Texas at El PasoEl PasoTexas
| | - Jeffrey A. Seminoff
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – National Marine Fisheries ServiceSouthwest Fisheries Science CenterLa JollaCalifornia
- Eastern Pacific Hawksbill InitiativeSan DiegoCalifornia
| | - Alexander R. Gaos
- Department of BiologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCalifornia
- Eastern Pacific Hawksbill InitiativeSan DiegoCalifornia
| | - Eduardo Altamirano
- Fauna and Flora InternationalManaguaNicaragua
- Eastern Pacific Hawksbill InitiativeSan DiegoCalifornia
| | - Ana V. Henríquez
- Asociación ProCostaSan SalvadorEl Salvador
- Eastern Pacific Hawksbill InitiativeSan DiegoCalifornia
| | - Velkiss Gadea
- Fauna and Flora InternationalManaguaNicaragua
- Eastern Pacific Hawksbill InitiativeSan DiegoCalifornia
| | - Sofía Chavarría
- Asociación ProCostaSan SalvadorEl Salvador
- Eastern Pacific Hawksbill InitiativeSan DiegoCalifornia
| | - José Urteaga
- School of Earth, Energy & Environmental SciencesStanford UniversityStanfordCalifornia
- Eastern Pacific Hawksbill InitiativeSan DiegoCalifornia
| | - Bryan P. Wallace
- Conservation Science Partners, Inc.Fort CollinsColorado
- Nicholas School of the EnvironmentDuke University Marine LabBeaufortNorth Carolina
- Eastern Pacific Hawksbill InitiativeSan DiegoCalifornia
| | - Markus J. Peterson
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Texas at El PasoEl PasoTexas
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17
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Patrício AR, Varela MR, Barbosa C, Broderick AC, Catry P, Hawkes LA, Regalla A, Godley BJ. Climate change resilience of a globally important sea turtle nesting population. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2019; 25:522-535. [PMID: 30567014 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have looked into climate change resilience of populations of wild animals. We use a model higher vertebrate, the green sea turtle, as its life history is fundamentally affected by climatic conditions, including temperature-dependent sex determination and obligate use of beaches subject to sea level rise (SLR). We use empirical data from a globally important population in West Africa to assess resistance to climate change within a quantitative framework. We project 200 years of primary sex ratios (1900-2100) and create a digital elevation model of the nesting beach to estimate impacts of projected SLR. Primary sex ratio is currently almost balanced, with 52% of hatchlings produced being female. Under IPCC models, we predict: (a) an increase in the proportion of females by 2100 to 76%-93%, but cooler temperatures, both at the end of the nesting season and in shaded areas, will guarantee male hatchling production; (b) IPCC SLR scenarios will lead to 33.4%-43.0% loss of the current nesting area; (c) climate change will contribute to population growth through population feminization, with 32%-64% more nesting females expected by 2120; (d) as incubation temperatures approach lethal levels, however, the population will cease growing and start to decline. Taken together with other factors (degree of foraging plasticity, rookery size and trajectory, and prevailing threats), this nesting population should resist climate change until 2100, and the availability of spatial and temporal microrefugia indicates potential for resilience to predicted impacts, through the evolution of nest site selection or changes in nesting phenology. This represents the most comprehensive assessment to date of climate change resilience of a marine reptile using the most up-to-date IPCC models, appraising the impacts of temperature and SLR, integrated with additional ecological and demographic parameters. We suggest this as a framework for other populations, species and taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana R Patrício
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miguel R Varela
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - Castro Barbosa
- Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Areas of Guinea-Bissau, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | | | - Paulo Catry
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Lucy A Hawkes
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - Aissa Regalla
- Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Areas of Guinea-Bissau, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - Brendan J Godley
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
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18
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Montero N, dei Marcovaldi MAG, Lopez–Mendilaharsu M, Santos AS, Santos AJB, Fuentes MMPB. Warmer and wetter conditions will reduce offspring production of hawksbill turtles in Brazil under climate change. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204188. [PMID: 30408043 PMCID: PMC6224045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change is expected to impact animals that are heavily reliant on environmental factors, such as sea turtles, since the incubation of their eggs, hatching success and sex ratio are influenced by the environment in which eggs incubate. As climate change progresses it is therefore important to understand how climatic conditions influence their reproductive output and the ramifications to population stability. Here, we examined the influences of five climatic variables (air temperature, accumulated and average precipitation, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed) at different temporal scales on hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) hatchling production at ten nesting beaches within two regions of Brazil (five nesting beaches in Rio Grande do Norte and five in Bahia). Air temperature and accumulated precipitation were the main climatic drivers of hawksbill hatching success (number of eggs hatched within a nest) across Brazil and in Rio Grande do Norte, while air temperature and average precipitation were the main climatic drivers of hatching success at Bahia. Solar radiation was the main climatic driver of emergence success (number of hatchlings that emerged from total hatched eggs within a nest) at both regions. Warmer temperatures and higher solar radiation had negative effects on hatchling production, while wetter conditions had a positive effect. Conservative and extreme climate scenarios show air temperatures are projected to increase at this site, while precipitation projections vary between scenarios and regions throughout the 21st century. We predicted hatching success of undisturbed nests (no recorded depredation or storm-related impacts) will decrease in Brazil by 2100 as a result of how this population is influenced by local climate. This study shows the determining effects of different climate variables and their combinations on an important and critically endangered marine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Montero
- Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
| | | | | | | | | | - Mariana M. P. B. Fuentes
- Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
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19
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20
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Hernández-Cortés JA, Núñez-Lara E, Cuevas E, Guzmán-Hernández V. Natural Beach Vegetation Coverage and Type Influence the Nesting Habitat of Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in Campeche, Mexico. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.2744/ccb-1280.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Alberto Hernández-Cortés
- Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad Autónoma del Carmen, Calle 56 No. 4, Esq. Avenida Concordia, Col. Benito Juárez, 24180 Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, México []
| | - Enrique Núñez-Lara
- Universidad Autónoma del Carmen, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, México []
| | - Eduardo Cuevas
- Pronatura Península de Yucatán, A.C., Calle 32 x 47 y 47A No. 269, Col. Pinzón II, 97205, Mérida, Yucatan, México
| | - Vicente Guzmán-Hernández
- Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Laguna de Términos, Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, Av. Adolfo López Mateos, Prolongación Playa Norte, C.P. 24140, Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, México []
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21
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Hart CE, Maldonado-Gasca A, Ley-Quiñonez CP, Flores-Peregrina M, de Jesús Romero-Villarruel J, Aranda-Mena OS, Plata-Rosas LJ, Tena-Espinoza M, Llamas-González I, Zavala-Norzagaray AA, Godley BJ, Abreu-Grobois FA. Status of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) After 29 Years of Nesting Rookery Conservation in Nayarit and Bahía de Banderas, Mexico. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.2744/ccb-1255.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E. Hart
- Centro Universitario de la Costa, Universidad de Guadalajara, Av. Universidad No. 203, 48280, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico []
| | - Adrián Maldonado-Gasca
- Instituto Tecnológico de Bahía de Banderas, Crucero a Punta de Mita S/N. C.P. 63734. La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, México []
| | - César P. Ley-Quiñonez
- Grupo Tortuguero de las Californias Asociación Civil (A.C.), La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CIIDIR Unidad Sinaloa, Juan de Dios Bátiz Paredes No. 250, Col. San Joachin, 81101, Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico []
| | | | - Jose de Jesús Romero-Villarruel
- Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, Delegacion Nayarit, Av. Allende No. 110 Oriente, Col. Centro 63000 Tepic, Nayarit []
| | | | - Luis Javier Plata-Rosas
- Centro Universitario de la Costa, Universidad de Guadalajara, Av. Universidad No. 203, 48280, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico []
| | | | - Israel Llamas-González
- Grupo Tortuguero de las Californias Asociación Civil (A.C.), La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- EcoMayto A.C., Mayto, Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, Mexico []
| | - Alan A. Zavala-Norzagaray
- Grupo Tortuguero de las Californias Asociación Civil (A.C.), La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CIIDIR Unidad Sinaloa, Juan de Dios Bátiz Paredes No. 250, Col. San Joachin, 81101, Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico []
| | - Brendan J. Godley
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, The University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, 8 Cornwall, TR10 9EZ, UK []
| | - F. Alberto Abreu-Grobois
- Laboratorio de Genética, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico []
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22
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Carreras C, Pascual M, Tomás J, Marco A, Hochscheid S, Castillo JJ, Gozalbes P, Parga M, Piovano S, Cardona L. Sporadic nesting reveals long distance colonisation in the philopatric loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). Sci Rep 2018; 8:1435. [PMID: 29362421 PMCID: PMC5780500 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19887-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The colonisation of new suitable habitats is crucial for species survival at evolutionary scale under changing environmental conditions. However, colonisation potential may be limited by philopatry that facilitates exploiting successful habitats across generations. We examine the mechanisms of long distance dispersal of the philopatric loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) by analysing 40 sporadic nesting events in the western Mediterranean. The analysis of a fragment of the mitochondrial DNA and 7 microsatellites of 121 samples from 18 of these nesting events revealed that these nests were colonising events associated with juveniles from distant populations feeding in nearby foraging grounds. Considering the temperature-dependent sex determination of the species, we simulated the effect of the incubation temperature and propagule pressure on a potential colonisation scenario. Our results indicated that colonisation will succeed if warm temperature conditions, already existing in some of the beaches in the area, extend to the whole western Mediterranean. We hypothesize that the sporadic nesting events in developmental foraging grounds may be a mechanism to overcome philopatry limitations thus increasing the dispersal capabilities of the species and the adaptability to changing environments. Sporadic nesting in the western Mediterranean can be viewed as potential new populations in a scenario of rising temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Carreras
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics and IRBio, University of Barcelona, Av.Diagonal 643, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, TR10 9EZ, UK.
| | - Marta Pascual
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics and IRBio, University of Barcelona, Av.Diagonal 643, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Tomás
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Apdo. 22085, E-46071, Valencia, Spain
| | - Adolfo Marco
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, c/ Américo Vespucio s/n, E-41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Sandra Hochscheid
- Marine Turtle Research Centre, Department RIMAR, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Nuova Macello, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Juan José Castillo
- CREMA (Centro de Recuperación de Especies Marinas Amenazadas), Aula del Mar de Málaga-Consejería de Medio Ambiente de la Junta de Andalucía, c/Pacífico 80, E-29004, Málaga, Spain
| | - Patricia Gozalbes
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Apdo. 22085, E-46071, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mariluz Parga
- Submon Marine Conservation, Rabassa 49, E-08024, Barcelona, Spain
- Marine Animal Rescue Center (CRAM), Passeig de la Platja 28-30, E-08820, El Prat de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Susanna Piovano
- Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e dell'Uomo, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
- School of Marine Studies, The University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus, Prive Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji
| | - Luis Cardona
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences and IRBIo, University of Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
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23
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He L, Shen J, Zhang Y. Ecological vulnerability assessment for ecological conservation and environmental management. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2018; 206:1115-1125. [PMID: 30029345 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.11.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Identifying ecological vulnerable regions is a significant aspect in ecological conservation and environmental management. This paper presents a first attempt to provide a prototype framework that can assess ecological vulnerability and evaluate potential impacts of natural, social, economic, environmental pollution, and human health elements on ecological vulnerability with integrating spatial analysis of Geographic Information System (GIS) method and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). A general ecological vulnerability index was constructed to describe the vulnerability status in an ecological hotspot of China. The assessment results of this study confirm the poor ecological vulnerability in China that only 1.32% of the China's population lives in not vulnerable ecosystem. A very high percentage (98.68%) of Chinese with 1.34 billion people lives in vulnerable and highly vulnerable area. This situation is mainly caused by increasing population pressure, exhausted nature resources, extensive economic growth, severe environmental pollution, insufficient environmental protection investment, and accelerating population aging. The spatial comparison indicates that spatial disparity existed in China with the central and northwestern provinces showing higher ecological vulnerability than the northeastern and southern provinces. The results of ecological vulnerability assessment can support effective guidance for mid- or long-term ecologic management. The developed framework can be replicated at different spatial and temporal scales using context-specific datasets to support ecological managers and government with decision-making. With available robust climate change models, future research might incorporate climate change into the ecological vulnerability framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li He
- School of Renewable Energy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Jing Shen
- School of Renewable Energy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China; Resources and Environmental Research Academy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Yang Zhang
- Resources and Environmental Research Academy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
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24
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Rees AF, Alfaro-Shigueto J, Barata PCR, Bjorndal KA, Bolten AB, Bourjea J, Broderick AC, Campbell LM, Cardona L, Carreras C, Casale P, Ceriani SA, Dutton PH, Eguchi T, Formia A, Fuentes MMPB, Fuller WJ, Girondot M, Godfrey MH, Hamann M, Hart KM, Hays GC, Hochscheid S, Kaska Y, Jensen MP, Mangel JC, Mortimer JA, Naro-Maciel E, Ng CKY, Nichols WJ, Phillott AD, Reina RD, Revuelta O, Schofield G, Seminoff JA, Shanker K, Tomás J, van de Merwe JP, Van Houtan KS, Vander Zanden HB, Wallace BP, Wedemeyer-Strombel KR, Work TM, Godley BJ. Are we working towards global research priorities for management and conservation of sea turtles? ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2016. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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25
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Fuentes MMPB, Gredzens C, Bateman BL, Boettcher R, Ceriani SA, Godfrey MH, Helmers D, Ingram DK, Kamrowski RL, Pate M, Pressey RL, Radeloff VC. Conservation hotspots for marine turtle nesting in the United States based on coastal development. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2016; 26:2706-2717. [PMID: 27907265 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Coastal areas provide nesting habitat for marine turtles that is critical for the persistence of their populations. However, many coastal areas are highly affected by coastal development, which affects the reproductive success of marine turtles. Knowing the extent to which nesting areas are exposed to these threats is essential to guide management initiatives. This information is particularly important for coastal areas with both high nesting density and dense human development, a combination that is common in the United States. We assessed the extent to which nesting areas of the loggerhead (Caretta caretta), the green (Chelonia mydas), the Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), and leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in the continental United States are exposed to coastal development and identified conservation hotspots that currently have high reproductive importance and either face high exposure to coastal development (needing intervention), or have low exposure to coastal development, and are good candidates for continued and future protection. Night-time light, housing, and population density were used as proxies for coastal development and human disturbance. About 81.6% of nesting areas were exposed to housing and human population, and 97.8% were exposed to light pollution. Further, most (>65%) of the very high- and high-density nesting areas for each species/subpopulation, except for the Kemp's ridley, were exposed to coastal development. Forty-nine nesting sites were selected as conservation hotspots; of those high-density nesting sites, 49% were sites with no/low exposure to coastal development and the other 51% were exposed to high-density coastal development. Conservation strategies need to account for ~66.8% of all marine turtle nesting areas being on private land and for nesting sites being exposed to large numbers of seasonal residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana M P B Fuentes
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Room 507 OSB, 117 North Woodward Avenue, Tallahassee, Florida, 32306, USA
| | - Christian Gredzens
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Room 507 OSB, 117 North Woodward Avenue, Tallahassee, Florida, 32306, USA
| | - Brooke L Bateman
- SILVIS Lab, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | - Ruth Boettcher
- Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Charles City, Virginia, 23030, USA
| | - Simona A Ceriani
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, 32816, USA
| | - Matthew H Godfrey
- North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Beaufort, North Carolina, 28516, USA
- Duke University Marine Lab, Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, North Carolina, 28516, USA
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, North Carolina State University, Morehead City, North Carolina, 28557, USA
| | - David Helmers
- SILVIS Lab, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | | | - Ruth L Kamrowski
- Pendoley Environmental, Booragoon, Western Australia, 6154, Australia
| | - Michelle Pate
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Charleston, South Carolina, 29412, USA
| | - Robert L Pressey
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Volker C Radeloff
- SILVIS Lab, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
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26
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Pilcher NJ, Al-Maslamani I, Williams J, Gasang R, Chikhi A. Population structure of marine turtles in coastal waters of Qatar. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2015. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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27
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Kamrowski RL, Limpus C, Jones R, Anderson S, Hamann M. Temporal changes in artificial light exposure of marine turtle nesting areas. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2014; 20:2437-2449. [PMID: 24353164 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/07/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Artificial light at night poses a significant threat to multiple taxa across the globe. In coastal regions, artificial lighting close to marine turtle nesting beaches is disruptive to their breeding success. Prioritizing effective management of light pollution requires an understanding of how the light exposure of nesting areas changes over time in response to changing temporal and spatial distributions of coastal development. We analyzed multitemporal, satellite night-light data, in combination with linear mixed model analysis, to determine broadscale changes in artificial light exposure at Australian marine turtle nesting areas between 1993 and 2010. We found seven marine turtle management units (MU), from five species, have experienced significant increases in light exposure over time, with flatback turtles nesting in east Australia experiencing the fastest increases. The remaining 12 MUs showed no significant change in light exposure. Unchanging MUs included those previously identified as having high exposure to light pollution (located in western Australia and southern Queensland), indicating that turtles in these areas have been potentially exposed to high light levels since at least the early nineties. At a finer geographic scale (within-MU), nine MUs contained nesting areas with significant increases in light exposure. These nesting areas predominantly occurred close to heavily industrialized coastal areas, thus emphasizing the importance of rigorous light management in industry. Within all MUs, nesting areas existed where light levels were extremely low and/or had not significantly increased since 1993. With continued coastal development, nesting females may shift to these darker/unchanging 'buffer' areas in the future. This is valuable information that informs our understanding of the capacity and resilience of marine turtles faced with coastal development: an understanding that is essential for effective marine turtle conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth L Kamrowski
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
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28
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Pike DA. Forecasting the viability of sea turtle eggs in a warming world. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2014; 20:7-15. [PMID: 24106042 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Revised: 09/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Animals living in tropical regions may be at increased risk from climate change because current temperatures at these locations already approach critical physiological thresholds. Relatively small temperature increases could cause animals to exceed these thresholds more often, resulting in substantial fitness costs or even death. Oviparous species could be especially vulnerable because the maximum thermal tolerances of incubating embryos is often lower than adult counterparts, and in many species mothers abandon the eggs after oviposition, rendering them immobile and thus unable to avoid extreme temperatures. As a consequence, the effects of climate change might become evident earlier and be more devastating for hatchling production in the tropics. Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) have the widest nesting range of any living reptile, spanning temperate to tropical latitudes in both hemispheres. Currently, loggerhead sea turtle populations in the tropics produce nearly 30% fewer hatchlings per nest than temperate populations. Strong correlations between empirical hatching success and habitat quality allowed global predictions of the spatiotemporal impacts of climate change on this fitness trait. Under climate change, many sea turtle populations nesting in tropical environments are predicted to experience severe reductions in hatchling production, whereas hatching success in many temperate populations could remain unchanged or even increase with rising temperatures. Some populations could show very complex responses to climate change, with higher relative hatchling production as temperatures begin to increase, followed by declines as critical physiological thresholds are exceeded more frequently. Predicting when, where, and how climate change could impact the reproductive output of local populations is crucial for anticipating how a warming world will influence population size, growth, and stability.
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29
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Pike DA. Forecasting range expansion into ecological traps: climate-mediated shifts in sea turtle nesting beaches and human development. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2013; 19:3082-3092. [PMID: 23744698 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Revised: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Some species are adapting to changing environments by expanding their geographic ranges. Understanding whether range shifts will be accompanied by increased exposure to other threats is crucial to predicting when and where new populations could successfully establish. If species overlap to a greater extent with human development under climate change, this could form ecological traps which are attractive to dispersing individuals, but the use of which substantially reduces fitness. Until recently, the core nesting range for the Critically Endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) was ca. 1000 km of sparsely populated coastline in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Over the past twenty-five years, this species has expanded its range into populated areas of coastal Florida (>1500 km outside the historical range), where nesting now occurs annually. Suitable Kemp's ridley nesting habitat has persisted for at least 140 000 years in the western Gulf of Mexico, and climate change models predict further nesting range expansion into the eastern Gulf of Mexico and northern Atlantic Ocean. Range expansion is 6-12% more likely to occur along uninhabited stretches of coastline than are current nesting beaches, suggesting that novel nesting areas will not be associated with high levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Although the high breeding-site fidelity of some migratory species could limit adaptation to climate change, rapid population recovery following effective conservation measures may enhance opportunities for range expansion. Anticipating the interactive effects of past or contemporary conservation measures, climate change, and future human activities will help focus long-term conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Pike
- School of Marine and Tropical Biology and Centre for Tropical Environmental & Sustainability Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
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