Sea turtle nest conservation techniques on southwestern beaches in Turkey

Published source details Başkale E. & Kaska Y. (2005) Sea turtle nest conservation techniques on southwestern beaches in Turkey. Israel Journal of Ecology & Evolution, 51, 13-26.
Share Tweet Email

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use signs and access restrictions to reduce disturbance Action Link
	Protect nests and nesting sites from predation using artificial nest covers: Sea turtles Action Link
	Relocate nests/eggs to a hatchery: Sea turtles Action Link

Use signs and access restrictions to reduce disturbance

A replicated, controlled study in 2000 on a sandy beach in southwest Turkey (Başkale & Kaska 2005) found that sea turtle nests protected from human foot traffic using fencing and signs around individual nests tended to have higher hatching success rates than unprotected nests. Results were not statistically tested. Nests fenced for protection had 76% hatching success (667 of 880 eggs hatched, of which 653 hatchlings reached the sea) compared to 65% hatching success of unfenced nests (3,317 of 5,075 eggs hatched, of which 3,078 hatchlings reached the sea). All nests (12 nests) in a 2.5 km section of the 8 km long Fethiye Beach were fenced (70 × 70 × 150 cm with a 1 cm plastic mesh) with a sign “Do not disturb the turtle nests” in both Turkish and English to prevent human disturbance. Nests on the rest of the beach (72 nests) were unfenced. Nests were monitored from June to September 2000.

(Summarised by: Maggie Watson, Katie Sainsbury)
Protect nests and nesting sites from predation using artificial nest covers: Sea turtles

A replicated, controlled study in 2001–2002 on two sandy beaches in southwest Turkey (Başkale & Kaska 2005) found that covering sea turtle nests with screens resulted in fewer eggs being predated and higher overall hatching success compared to nests that were not screened. Results were not statistically tested. Fewer nests with screens were predated (0 of 54 nests) compared to unscreened nests (Dalaman beech: Of 49 nests, 20 partially predated, 13 entirely predated, 888 eggs predated; Dalyan beach: Of 40 nests, 29 predated, 2,200 eggs predated). Overall hatching success was higher for nests with screens (screened: 74%; unscreened: 54%). Beaches were searched for nests, and those at risk of predation (54 nests on Dalaman beach) were screened with a metal grid (72 x 72 cm) and a 9 cm mesh buried 20 cm deep. A further 89 nests (49 on Dalaman beach; 40 on Dalyan beach) received no screen. Nests were monitored from June–September in 2001 (Dalyan beach) and 2002 (Dalaman beach).

(Summarised by: Maggie Watson, William Morgan)
Relocate nests/eggs to a hatchery: Sea turtles

A replicated, controlled study in 2000–2002 on three sandy beaches in southwest Turkey (Başkale & Kaska 2005) found that relocating sea turtle nests to an on-beach hatchery may have resulted in higher hatching success compared to nests left in situ. Results were not statistically tested. Hatching success tended to be higher for relocated nests (89, 85 and 71% hatching success for 5, 37 and 6 nests respectively) compared to nests left in situ (68, 19 and 64% for 67, 40 and 97 nests respectively). For relocated nests, hatching success was not affected by time after laying that relocation took place (0–6 h: 89%; 6–12 h: 79%; 12–18 h: 70%). Nests considered to be in vulnerable locations were relocated to a hatchery. The hatchery (10 x 15 m) was enclosed by a plastic fence (2 cm mesh) that extended 0.5 m below and 2 m above the sand surface. Hatchlings were released manually from near original nest sites. Nests were monitored from June–September 2000–2002.

(Summarised by: William Morgan)