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Journal article
Global analysis of the effect of local climate on the hatchling output of leatherback turtles
Scientific reports, v 5(1), pp 16789-16789
17 Nov 2015
PMCID: PMC4648107
PMID: 26572897
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
The most recent climate change projections show a global increase in temperatures along with precipitation changes throughout the 21st century. However, regional projections do not always match global projections and species with global distributions may exhibit varying regional susceptibility to climate change. Here we show the effect of local climatic conditions on the hatchling output of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) at four nesting sites encompassing the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. We found a heterogeneous effect of climate. Hatchling output increased with long-term precipitation in areas with dry climatic conditions (Playa Grande, Pacific Ocean and Sandy Point, Caribbean Sea), but the effect varied in areas where precipitation was high (Pacuare, Caribbean Sea) and was not detected at the temperate site (Maputaland, Indian Ocean). High air temperature reduced hatchling output only at the area experiencing seasonal droughts (Playa Grande). Climatic projections showed a drastic increase in air temperature and a mild decrease in precipitation at all sites by 2100. The most unfavorable conditions were projected for Sandy Point where hatching success has already declined over time along with precipitation levels. The heterogeneous effect of climate may lead to local extinctions of leatherback turtles in some areas but survival in others by 2100.
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Details
- Title
- Global analysis of the effect of local climate on the hatchling output of leatherback turtles
- Creators
- Pilar Santidrian Tomillo - IMEDEA CSIC UIB, Populat Ecol Grp, Inst Mediterrani Estudis Avancats, Esporles 07190, Mallorca, SpainVincent S. Saba - National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationClaudia D. Lombard - United States Fish and Wildlife ServiceJennifer M. Valiulis - United States Virgin Islands Department of HealthNathan J. Robinson - Indiana University – Purdue University Fort WayneFrank V. Paladino - Indiana University – Purdue University Fort WayneJames R. Spotila - Drexel UniversityCarlos Fernandez - Endangered Wildlife TrustMarga L. Rivas - University of GranadaJenny Tucek - Nelson Mandela UniversityRonel Nel - Nelson Mandela UniversityDaniel Oro - Population Ecology Group, Institut Mediterrani d’ Estudis Avançats, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Miquel Marquès, 21, Esporles, Spain
- Publication Details
- Scientific reports, v 5(1), pp 16789-16789
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship within the 7th European Community Framework Programme; European Commission Schrey Chair of Biology at IPFW (Playa Grande) US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (Sandy Point) Earthwatch Institute (Playa Grande) Leatherback Trust (Playa Grande) Betz Chair of Environmental Science at Drexel University (Playa Grande) Endangered Wildlife Trust (Pacuare) NRF/Thuthuka (Maputaland) NMMU Postgraduate Research Scholarship (Maputaland)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- [Retired Faculty]
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000364756300001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84947213914
- Other Identifier
- 991019168274304721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Ecology