Potential for relocation to alter the incubation environment and productivity of sea turtle nests in the northern Gulf of Mexico
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Published source details
Ware M. & Fuentes M. (2018) Potential for relocation to alter the incubation environment and productivity of sea turtle nests in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 17, 252-262.
Published source details Ware M. & Fuentes M. (2018) Potential for relocation to alter the incubation environment and productivity of sea turtle nests in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 17, 252-262.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Relocate nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting (not including hatcheries): Sea turtles Action Link |
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Relocate nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting (not including hatcheries): Sea turtles
A replicated, controlled study in 2016 on one sandy beach in Alabama, USA (Ware & Fuentes 2018) found that relocating loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta nests higher up the beach resulted in similar hatching success, but lower emergence success compared to undisturbed nests. Hatching success was similar for relocated (66%) and undisturbed nests (66%), but relocated nests had lower emergence success (relocated: 76%; undisturbed: 84%). Seven measures of flooding and wave wash-over were similar at the locations of relocated nests, original nest locations and undisturbed nests. In May–August 2016, twenty nests discovered 0–22 m from the high-tide line were relocated higher up the beach. Seventy-four nests (3–50 m above high-tide line) were left undisturbed. Nest locations were monitored for up to 75 days and the fate of eggs was checked three days after hatchling emergence, or 75 days after laying occurred.
(Summarised by: William Morgan)
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