Fall and rise of nesting green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at Aldabra atoll, Seychelles: positive response to four decades of protection (1968-2008)
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Published source details
Mortimer J.A., von Brandis R.G., Liljevik A., Chapman R. & Collie J. (2011) Fall and rise of nesting green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at Aldabra atoll, Seychelles: positive response to four decades of protection (1968-2008). Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 10, 165-176.
Published source details Mortimer J.A., von Brandis R.G., Liljevik A., Chapman R. & Collie J. (2011) Fall and rise of nesting green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at Aldabra atoll, Seychelles: positive response to four decades of protection (1968-2008). Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 10, 165-176.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Protect habitat: Sea turtles Action Link |
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Legally protect reptile species Action Link |
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Protect habitat: Sea turtles
A before-and-after study in 1968–1976 and 1981–2008 on sandy beaches on an atoll island, Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles (Mortimer et al. 2011) found that legal protection for green turtles Chelonia mydas, followed by protection of the whole island 15 years later, was associated with an increase in nesting activity. Results were not statistically tested, and the effects of species and habitat protection cannot be separated. Overall nesting activity was estimated to be higher 36–40 years after turtle protection began (2004–2008: 28,200 nesting attempts/year) compared to 13–17 years after turtle protection began (1981–1985: 10,900–16,500 nesting attempts/year). The authors also reported that estimates of nesting activity around the time that turtle protection began ranged from sightings of seven females (11 day survey in 1967), to 2,000–3,000 nests/year (surveys during 1968–1970 and 1975–1976). Protection for turtles began in 1968, with the Green Turtle Protection Regulations 1968, and the atoll became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In 1981–2008, up to 68 nesting beaches on the atoll were surveyed for turtle tracks and evidence of nesting. Survey effort varied between different years and beaches, with beaches surveyed 0–37 times/years in 1981–1994, and 4–171 times/month in 1995–2008.
(Summarised by: William Morgan)
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Legally protect reptile species
A before-and-after study in 1968–1976 and 1981–2008 on sandy beaches on an atoll island, Aldabra atoll, Seychelles (Mortimer et al. 2011) found that legal protection for green turtles Chelonia mydas, followed by protection of the whole island 15 years later, resulted in an increase in nesting activity. Results were not statistically tested, and the effects of species and habitat protection cannot be separated. Overall nesting activity was estimated to be higher 36–40 years after turtle protection began (2004–2008: 28,200 nesting attempts/year) compared to 13–17 years after turtle protection began (1981–1985: 10,900–16,500 nesting attempts/year). Authors also reported that estimates of nesting activity around the time that turtle protection began ranged from sightings of seven females (11-day survey in 1967), to 2,000–3,000 nests/year (surveys during 1968–1970 and 1975–1976). Protection for turtles began in 1968, with the Green Turtle Protection Regulations 1968, and the atoll became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In 1981–2008, up to 68 nesting beaches on the atoll were surveyed for turtle tracks and evidence of nesting. Survey effort was variable between different years and beaches, with beaches surveyed 0–37 times/years in 1981–1994, and 4–171 times/month in 1995–2008.
(Summarised by: William Morgan)
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