December
14, 2018, Florida State University
Hawksbill
turtles aren't the only marine turtles threatened by the destabilizing effects
of climate change, but a new study from researchers at Florida State University
shows that this critically endangered species could be at particular risk.
In a
study published in the journal PLOS ONE, researchers from FSU's Department
of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science suggest that projected increases in air
temperatures, rainfall inundation and blistering solar radiation could
significantly reduce hawksbill hatching success at a selection of major nesting
beaches.
Earth's
history abounds with examples of climate shifts, but researchers say today's
transforming climate, paired with unabated human development, imperils
hawksbills and other marine turtles in
new and alarming ways.
"Marine
turtles have been around for millions of years, and during this time they have
adapted to substantial climatic changes," said Assistant Professor of
Oceanography Mariana Fuentes, co-author of the study. "In the past they
have adapted by shifting their nesting grounds and nesting season to align with
more favorable conditions. However, increasing impacts to nesting habitats from
coastal construction, storms and sea level rise are jeopardizing their ability
to adapt."
To
evaluate climate change's effects on hawksbill hatching success, FSU
researchers analyzed more than 5,000 nests from the five Brazilian beaches
where a majority of the region's hawksbill nesting occurs. The team focused
specifically on five climatic variables—air temperature,
rainfall, humidity, solar radiation and wind speed—in order to render a more
comprehensive model of the various and subtle effects of a changing climate on
the sensitive incubation process.
"Research
is lacking on how climate change may influence hawksbills, and this population
in particular," said former FSU graduate student Natalie Montero, who led
the study. "We chose to study how climate change
may impact hatchling production because significant changes to how many baby
marine turtles are born can dramatically alter population stability."
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