Journal article
Spatial ecology and conservation of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting in Bioko, Equatorial Guinea
PloS one, v 18(6), pp e0286545-e0286545
14 Jun 2023
PMID: 37315005
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea) hosts important nesting habitat for leatherback sea turtles, with the main nesting beaches found on the island's southern end. Nest monitoring and protection have been ongoing for more than two decades, although distribution and habitat range at sea remains to be determined. This study uses satellite telemetry to describe the movements of female leatherback turtles (n = 10) during and following the breeding season, tracking them to presumed offshore foraging habitats in the south Atlantic Ocean. Leatherback turtles spent 100% of their time during the breeding period within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Equatorial Guinea, with a core distribution focused on the south of Bioko Island extending up to 10 km from the coast. During this period, turtles spent less than 10% of time within the existing protected area. Extending the border of this area by 3 km offshore would lead to a greater than threefold increase in coverage of turtle distribution (29.8 +/- 19.0% of time), while an expansion to 15 km offshore would provide spatial coverage for more than 50% of tracking time. Post-nesting movements traversed the territorial waters of Sao Tome and Principe (6.4%of tracking time), Brazil (0.85%), Ascension (1.8%), and Saint Helena (0.75%). The majority (70%) of tracking time was spent in areas beyond national jurisdiction (i.e. the High Seas). This study reveals that conservation benefits could be achieved by expanding existing protected areas stretching from the Bioko coastal zone, and suggests shared migratory routes and foraging space between the Bioko population and other leatherback turtle rookeries in this region.
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Details
- Title
- Spatial ecology and conservation of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting in Bioko, Equatorial Guinea
- Creators
- Francesco Garzon - University of ExeterChristian Barrientos - Baťa (Czechia)Rigoberto Esono Anvene - National University of Equatorial GuineaFeme Esono Mba - Baťa (Czechia)Alejandro Fallabrino - National University of Equatorial GuineaAngela Formia - Marine Conservation InstituteBrendan J. Godley - Univ Exeter, Fac Environm Sustainabil & Econ, Ctr Ecol & Conservat, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, EnglandMary K. Gonder - Drexel University, BiologyCarolina Martinez Prieto - Baťa (Czechia)Jesus Mba Ayetebe - Baťa (Czechia)Kristian Metcalfe - Marine Conservation InstituteDavid Montgomery - Drexel University, BiologyJuan Nsogo - National University of Equatorial GuineaJuan-Cruz Ondo Nze - National University of Equatorial GuineaEarl Possardt - United States Fish and Wildlife ServiceErick Ross Salazar - Baťa (Czechia)Manjula Tiwari - NOAA National Marine Fisheries ServiceMatthew J. Witt - University of Exeter
- Publication Details
- PloS one, v 18(6), pp e0286545-e0286545
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science (PLOS)
- Number of pages
- 19
- Grant note
- Chevron US Fish and~Wildlife Service; US Fish & Wildlife Service Wildlife Conservation Society-Gabon from the US Fish and Wildlife Service -Marine Turtle Conservation Fund, US Department of the Interior Ocean Ecology Network UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF); UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) Waitt Foundation University of Exeter
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biology
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001010646600021
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85162053760
- Other Identifier
- 991021861312904721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Ecology