A pulse check for trends in sea turtle numbers across the globe

iScience, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 27(3), С. 109071 - 109071

Опубликована: Фев. 15, 2024

Population declines of vertebrates are common, but rebuilding marine life may be possible. We assessed trends in sea turtle numbers globally, building 61 time series abundance extending beyond 2015, representing monitoring >1200 years. Increases were widespread with significant upward trends, no change, and downward 28, 5 series, respectively. For example, annual nest increased between 1980 2018 from around 4,000 to 16,000 for green turtles at Aldabra (Seychelles, Indian Ocean) 2008 2020 500 35,000 loggerhead Sal (Cape Verde, north Atlantic). However, conservation concerns remain. Major populations experience declines, such as Oman, while previous can reversed, nesting Tortuguero (Costa Rica, Caribbean). Further, decreases evident several leatherback series. These show there is room complacency conservation.

Язык: Английский

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Status, trends and conservation of global sea turtle populations

Опубликована: Янв. 27, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Unravelling the effects of climate change on the soil-plant-atmosphere interactions: A critical review

Soil & Environmental Health, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 100130 - 100130

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Distinct population-wide differences in contaminants and blood parameters in foraging green sea turtles

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 212, С. 117541 - 117541

Опубликована: Янв. 14, 2025

The rising diversity and concentration of contaminants have surpassed ecological thresholds, threatening marine ecosystems. effects pollutants on animals, particularly sea turtles, are receiving increased attention due to their role as indicators human impacts. This study examined the health implications contaminant exposure in three green turtle (Chelonia mydas) foraging sites southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Assessments were performed 45 immature turtles from offshore (Heron, Lady Elliot Island) inshore (Hervey Bay) sites, hypothesising greater anthropogenic inshore. A cytotoxicity assay tested blood toxicity, while trace element concentrations compared with baseline reference intervals. Interestingly, this analysis revealed elevated cobalt manganese levels Hervey Bay showed higher despite appearing healthier, contrasting low body condition Bay. These findings highlight complexities ecotoxicology need for comprehensive data

Язык: Английский

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The effects of warming on loggerhead turtle nesting counts

Journal of Animal Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 21, 2025

Abstract Global trends in marine turtle nesting numbers vary by region, influenced environmental or anthropogenic factors. Our study investigates the potential role of past temperature fluctuations on these trends, particularly whether warmer beaches are linked to increased due higher female production (since sea turtles have temperature‐dependent sex determination). We selected loggerhead ( Caretta caretta ) its wide distribution, strong philopatry and vulnerability changes. compiled nest counts per year 35 globally significant rookeries, analysing at regional individual beach levels. air (CHELSA) land surface (MODIS) data sets spanning last four decades (1979–2023) for each location. To analyse temporal temperatures, we used generalised additive models Mann–Kendall trend tests. Additionally, correlated with lagged variables. found warming 33 locations, 23 which also showed increases counts. results suggest that rising temperatures may be boosting regions Caribbean, Atlantic Ocean Mediterranean (sites Cayman, Mexico, Brazil, Cyprus Turkey). Furthermore, while some temporarily benefit, continued could precipitate long‐term population declines. This variability helps predict species responses climate change, general global increase already indicating short‐term effects. Nesting count might reflect a combination natural ecological phenomena, conservation efforts, Long‐term studies needed assess ratio hatchlings extent feminisation is driving numbers.

Язык: Английский

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Fibropapillomatosis Dynamics, Severity and Demographic Effect in Caribbean Green Turtles

EcoHealth, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Фев. 5, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Mortality of Marine Turtles Bycaught in Industrial Fisheries Operating Off North‐Western Africa

Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 35(3)

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

ABSTRACT We use data collected by onboard observers to assess the bycatch and immediate mortality of sea turtles in Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) adjoining areas from 2016 2021. First, a dataset including 698 sets drifting longliners, 6300 tows trawlers 1029 purse seiners was used calculate catch per unit effort for each species fleet. Second, compiled International Commission Conservation Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Global Fishing Watch were escalate whole Third, we post‐release rates literature estimate total number killed annually provide baseline their potential demographic impact. Accordingly, international fleet longliners estimated cause annual 6800 loggerhead Caretta caretta (95% CI: 5825–7628), 740 olive ridley Lepidochelys olivacea 560–926) smaller numbers hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricate green Chelonia mydas . Nothing is known about post release rate leatherback turtles, but as 3529 2463–4889). Regarding bottom trawling, case death 151 67–191), 95 CI:33–108) 42 23–87). Finally, negligible only bycaught that Our study provides comprehensive precise on turtle within three main industrial fishing activities, crucial understanding impacts populations. Moreover, it underscores CCLME significant hotspot marine megafauna bycatch.

Язык: Английский

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A global assessment of microplastic abundance and characteristics on marine turtle nesting beaches

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 215, С. 117768 - 117768

Опубликована: Март 20, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Recent increases in sea turtle incubation durations on a North Carolina, USA, beach despite a warming climate

Ecosphere, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 16(3)

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

Abstract Warming temperatures due to climate change are feminizing sea turtle primary sex ratios, reducing hatchling fitness, and, in extreme cases, limiting production, including for temperate nesting species such as loggerhead turtles ( Caretta caretta ). Though more females may lead short‐term population growth through increased egg long‐term gains be threatened by the scarcity of males mating and reduced survival rates early life stages. Beaches near limits ranges typically cooler thus critical conservation efforts they contribute a higher percentage regional breeding grounds both now future. A trend up 88% was previously estimated hatchlings 2015 on Bald Head Island, North Carolina, USA, northern extent northwest Atlantic range. However, despite continued increasing air temperature, average incubation durations modeled ratios over past 5 years (67% female) similar those from mid‐2000s. Environmental conditions during incubation, behavioral changes nest site selection timing, physiological variables clutch size maternal identity were investigated using generalized additive model explain this recent reversal. Increased rainfall, alongshore local movement placement toward conditions, minor shift phenology earlier year combined counteract 1.1°C increase temperature experienced incubating nests versus 20 ago. Behavioral adaptations mitigate some projected impacts but insufficient their own rainfall had larger effect than behavior. Without significant or management interventions, sustained future male production at many beaches will likely depend rainfall—an uncertain projection beaches.

Язык: Английский

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Marine debris impacts on Hawaiian green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas): High prevalence of hook-and-line fishing gear in strandings

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 215, С. 117869 - 117869

Опубликована: Март 31, 2025

Stranding data are critical for monitoring threats to sea turtles. By analyzing four decades of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) strandings from the Main Hawaiian Islands, we elucidate temporal and spatial trends. In Hawai'i, fibropapillomatosis (FP) has been dominant threat stranded turtles since records began in 1982. last decade (2010-2019), FP constituted on average 25 % stressors turtles, followed by fishing lines (22 %), hooks (8 shark predation (5 boat strikes net entanglements (3 %). As 2016, line injuries constitute most common primary threat. Turtles injured were often found released alive (hooks: 86 alive, lines: 64 alive), underscoring importance timely reporting response. O'ahu was be main hotspot hook-and-line strandings, while there more variation across islands other stressors. Spatial predictions highlighted areas without prior stranding observations, suggesting that some may go undetected. modelled presence derelict around using in-water debris cleanup efforts; (1) positively associated with shore access points harbors (2) negatively human population density. The increase could a result recovering their overlap year-round coastal activities. Our findings emphasize need sustained efforts measures reduce gear losses interactions non-target species.

Язык: Английский

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