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Beach dynamics, beachfront development, and climate change: Interactions that impact sea turtle nesting beaches

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Date Issued:
2017
Summary:
Climate change will expose sea turtle nests to higher temperatures and more storms; both may negatively impact sea turtle nest success. In this study, unhatched eggs were collected from the Boca Raton, Florida beach and developmental stage at embryonic death determined. Elevated nest temperatures increased embryonic mortality, and the most significant relationship was between mortality and the percent of time embryos were exposed to temperatures above 34°C. Loggerhead turtles exhibited higher rates of mortality compared to green turtles at temperatures above 34°C. Only loggerhead nests were exposed to inundation, but embryonic mortality did not differ from noninundated nests. Beach profiles across the nesting season were also determined. A major storm altered the beach more in areas of coastal development; however, this was impacted by a nourishment project and the presence of a structured inlet. Future management strategies may need to protect sea turtle nests from extended periods at elevated temperatures.
Title: Beach dynamics, beachfront development, and climate change: Interactions that impact sea turtle nesting beaches.
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Name(s): Bladow, Rachel A., author
Milton, Sarah L., Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Department of Biological Sciences
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2017
Date Issued: 2017
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 87 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: Climate change will expose sea turtle nests to higher temperatures and more storms; both may negatively impact sea turtle nest success. In this study, unhatched eggs were collected from the Boca Raton, Florida beach and developmental stage at embryonic death determined. Elevated nest temperatures increased embryonic mortality, and the most significant relationship was between mortality and the percent of time embryos were exposed to temperatures above 34°C. Loggerhead turtles exhibited higher rates of mortality compared to green turtles at temperatures above 34°C. Only loggerhead nests were exposed to inundation, but embryonic mortality did not differ from noninundated nests. Beach profiles across the nesting season were also determined. A major storm altered the beach more in areas of coastal development; however, this was impacted by a nourishment project and the presence of a structured inlet. Future management strategies may need to protect sea turtle nests from extended periods at elevated temperatures.
Identifier: FA00005926 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University
Sea turtles--Ecology.
Loggerhead turtle--Florida.
Sea turtles--Nests.
Climate change
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005926
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.