Event Title
Sea Turtle Nesting in Guanacaste, Costa Rica: Effects of Temperature and Sea Level Rise
Presentation Type
Poster/Portfolio
Presenter Major(s)
Biology
Mentor Information
Jodee Hunt
Department
Biology
Location
Henry Hall Atrium 53
Start Date
10-4-2013 12:00 PM
End Date
10-4-2013 1:00 PM
Keywords
Environment, Life Science
Abstract
Climate change is altering sea level in coastal biomes, which will increase about 0.6 m by 2100, detrimentally affecting the quality of sea turtle nesting habitat. I used a World Wildlife Fund protocol to monitor temperature and slope of beach habitat used by nesting green (Chelonia mydas), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys), on San Miguel Beach, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. In July and Augus, 2012, I measured beach slope with an Abbney level and predicted inundation by subtracting 0.6 m from elevation values, resulting in a loss of 3% of the beach area. Beach topography is unstable among nesting seasons. These combined effects will harm sea turtles relative to their body size and timing of nesting. Current beach temperatures support normal sea turtle progress, but if the current trajectory of temperature increase continues, feminizing effects will occur by 2100, and lethal temperatures will be reached subsequently.
Sea Turtle Nesting in Guanacaste, Costa Rica: Effects of Temperature and Sea Level Rise
Henry Hall Atrium 53
Climate change is altering sea level in coastal biomes, which will increase about 0.6 m by 2100, detrimentally affecting the quality of sea turtle nesting habitat. I used a World Wildlife Fund protocol to monitor temperature and slope of beach habitat used by nesting green (Chelonia mydas), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys), on San Miguel Beach, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. In July and Augus, 2012, I measured beach slope with an Abbney level and predicted inundation by subtracting 0.6 m from elevation values, resulting in a loss of 3% of the beach area. Beach topography is unstable among nesting seasons. These combined effects will harm sea turtles relative to their body size and timing of nesting. Current beach temperatures support normal sea turtle progress, but if the current trajectory of temperature increase continues, feminizing effects will occur by 2100, and lethal temperatures will be reached subsequently.