Spelling suggestions: "subject:"caretaker caretaker"" "subject:"caretaker caretakers""
21 |
<b>Heavy Metal Concentrations in Sea Turtles and </b><b>Their Prey in the Northwest Atlantic </b>Yi Wynn Chan (18414897) 20 April 2024 (has links)
<p dir="ltr">The Northwest Atlantic Ocean, which surrounds the US eastern coastline, is an area rich in marine life. The US eastern coastline is also highly urbanized, resulting in a lot of pollutants (like heavy metals) entering the marine environment. This is of concern for long-lived marine species like sea turtles. Since sea turtles are long-lived and highly migratory, their tissues can often incorporate these pollutants through environmental and dietary exposure. I collected tissue samples from 5 different sea turtle populations in the Northwest Atlantic and analyzed them for concentrations of silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The first chapter looks at skin (reflects exposure ~1 year ago) and scute (reflects exposure from 4-6 years ago) samples collected during necropsies of juvenile green (<i>Chelonia mydas</i>) (n=8), Kemp’s ridley (<i>Lepidochelys kempii</i>) (n=30) and loggerhead (<i>Caretta caretta</i>) (n=17) turtles that were found cold-stunned in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts. In scute samples, the heavy metal with the highest concentration for green turtles was iron, zinc for loggerhead turtles, and arsenic for Kemp’s ridley turtles. In skin samples, the heavy metal with the highest concentration for green turtles was iron, arsenic for loggerhead turtles, and aluminum for Kemp’s ridley turtles. Overall, I found scute samples to have higher heavy metal concentrations than skin samples. The second chapter looks at scute samples collected from loggerhead turtles of different life stages. These samples were collected during necropsies of cold-stunned loggerhead turtles from Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts (CCB; n=17), as well as from live loggerhead turtles in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB; n=37) and off the coast of North Carolina (NC; n=9). We also collected commonly known loggerhead turtle prey items including whelk (<i>Buccinum undatum</i>) (n=12), Atlantic scallop (<i>Placopecten magellanicus)</i> (n=10) and Jonah crab (<i>Cancer borealis</i>) (n=5) from the Mid-Atlantic Bight region to study the occurrence of biomagnification through trophic pathways. NC loggerhead turtles had higher heavy metal concentrations than other locations except for cadmium and zinc, where CCB loggerhead turtles were higher. I found that all heavy metals except silver, cadmium, and lead appear to be biomagnified (TTF>1) in loggerhead turtles. These two chapters provided baseline information on heavy metal concentrations in sea turtles in east coast US.</p>
|
22 |
Environmental Factors Affecting Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) Nesting, Hatching, and Incubation Patterns in Broward County, FloridaBest, Zoey Ellen 28 April 2017 (has links)
Reproductive success in loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles is strongly dependent on the effective placement and internal conditions of their nests. Embryos rely on optimal incubation conditions for proper development and growth, which determines how many hatchlings will emerge from the nest. The internal microclimate of each nest is delicately balanced and can be easily influenced by external environmental conditions. This study was designed to examine several environmental variables and determine their effects on sea turtle nesting numbers, hatching success, and incubation conditions in Broward County Florida. Over a span of 25 years (1991-2015), the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program has collected data on each sea turtle nest laid in Broward County. This data was analyzed and plotted to visualize nesting and hatching trends, and regressions were fitted to make comparisons to historic air temperature, sea surface temperature, precipitation, and lunar illumination data. These regressions were tested for significance, and each environmental variable was found to have varying levels of impact on sea turtle nesting and hatching behavior. Of the environmental variables considered in this study, analyses suggest that sea turtles are most responsive to temperature, with sea surface temperature serving as the best proxy for predicting nesting behaviors. Air temperature over the incubation period was found to be the best indicator for hatch success percentage. Air temperature, sea surface temperature, and precipitation averages all significantly affected the length of the incubation period. The regression models created in this study could be used to examine the interactions between climatic variables, and to indicate what impacts can be expected by these various environmental factors. This information could be used to estimate the future effects of climate change on sea turtle reproduction, and to predict general reproductive success and future population trends.
|
23 |
DEPREDATION OF OLIVE RIDLEY AND LOGGERHEAD TURTLE CLUTCHES ON BEACHES WITH AND WITHOUT PREDATOR MANAGEMNTCarlynn Nicole Cornhill (11002167) 23 July 2021 (has links)
<p>Management of predation on sea
turtle nesting beaches is vital to conservation efforts for the vulnerable
loggerhead turtles (<i>Caretta caretta</i>) and olive ridley turtles (<i>Lepidochelys
olivacea</i>). Sea turtles increasingly face threats from invasive and
human-tolerant mammalian predators as human disturbances on nesting beaches rises.
The intensity of mammalian predation has increased in Las Baulas National Park
in Costa Rica which is an important nesting site for several species of
threatened and endangered sea turtles. I analyzed loggerhead and olive ridley
nest predation on four beaches in the United States and Costa Rica that were
chosen for variations in degree of human disturbance and management strategies.
My objectives were to 1) determine if egg predation rates differ at the four
sites, 2) determine the most destructive predators at each location, and 3)
suggest management options to alleviate mammalian threats to turtle clutches on
Playa Grande and Playa Cabuyal in Costa Rica. My results show that the beaches
without a nest protection or predator control program had very high rates of predation.
Invasive mammalian predators and mammalian predators associated with human disturbance
were the most destructive at the four sites. I recommend that regulations
regarding dogs and the take of eggs from the beach are enforced at Playa
Cabuyal and that physical nest protection is rapidly implemented at Playa
Grande. I also recommend that the National Park consider managing raccoon
predation by removing problem individuals, but caution that they do so in a way
that maintains the animals’ role in the ecosystem.</p>
|
24 |
Habitat use and distribution of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean Sea: Implications for marine planning strategiesAbalo Morla, Sara 06 November 2023 (has links)
Tesis por compendio / [ES] Las tortugas bobas son organismos de gran movilidad que ocupan hábitats extensos y diversos, lo que las expone a varias amenazas que pueden afectar negativamente a la persistencia de sus poblaciones. Delinear medidas prioritarias de conservación para esta especie es todo un reto debido a la escasez del conocimiento integrado sobre su supervivencia, uso de hábitat y exposición relativa a amenazas, especialmente durante las primeras etapas de su ciclo vital. En la cuenca occidental del mar Mediterráneo esto adquiere mayor relevancia si se contextualiza en el proceso de colonización que está teniendo lugar en la zona durante la última década. Se ha registrado un aumento en el número de nidos y hembras nidificantes, para cuya protección se han tomado medidas de gestión como la reubicación de nidos y la inclusión de neonatos en programas de "head-starting". Esta coyuntura ha ofrecido una oportunidad única para incrementar el conocimiento sobre la supervivencia, dispersión y uso de hábitat de hembras nidificantes y post-neonatos de tortuga boba. Ninguna investigación previa ha realizado un seguimiento por satélite de hembras nidificantes en el Mediterráneo occidental, ni de post-neonatos mediterráneos con tamaño inferior a 35 cm. La finalidad de esta tesis es abordar las lagunas de conocimiento mencionadas y aportar herramientas para mejorar las estrategias de planificación marina dirigidas a la conservación de la tortuga boba en el Mediterráneo. Los principales objetivos fueron: i) proporcionar las primeras estimaciones empíricas de supervivencia de post-neonatos, ii) dilucidar las rutas de dispersión y el uso de hábitat en las diferentes etapas del ciclo vital, iii) identificar áreas relevantes para su protección, iv) evaluar la eficacia de las actuales áreas marinas protegidas (AMPs) para la conservación de la tortuga boba, y v) proponer medidas de conservación basadas en el análisis espacial. Para ello, se analizaron las trayectorias de 117 tortugas seguidas vía satélite entre 2003 y 2022. Estos datos incluyen las primeras trayectorias de hembras nidificantes en España y de post-neonatos mediterráneos, que se han publicado en un repositorio. Además, se realizó la primera evaluación del uso de hábitat y de AMPs por tortugas bobas marcadas en el Mediterráneo occidental, a lo largo de su ciclo vital. Los resultados de esta tesis muestran, por primera vez, la capacidad de supervivencia y dispersión, así como uso de hábitat de post-neonatos de tortuga boba en el Mediterráneo. Los mares Jónico y de Levante se identificaron como zonas potenciales de desarrollo de post-neonatos. Por otro lado, las hembras mostraron dos comportamientos diferentes durante el periodo de inter-anidación: i) fidelidad a la zona de nidificación, o ii) comportamiento exploratorio de nidificación. Durante la etapa no reproductora, la mayoría de las hembras permanecieron alimentándose en aguas oceánicas de la cuenca argelina. Además, se registró por primera vez la reemigración de esta especie para nidificar de nuevo en España, lo que confirma que las hembras pueden mostrar un cierto grado de fidelidad al lugar de nidificación entre ciclos reproductores. La presente tesis confirma la importancia de la cuenca argelina para las tortugas bobas del Mediterráneo occidental, en particular para los juveniles y adultos. Otras zonas identificadas como importantes son el sur del mar Balear, el mar de Alborán, el canal de Sicilia, el noreste de Túnez, las aguas de Malta, el mar Tirreno y el mar Jónico, según la etapa vital. El análisis de la distribución espacial de la tortuga boba también ha revelado que la distribución y cobertura actuales de las AMPs mediterráneas no contribuyen a alcanzar los objetivos de conservación para esta especie. Los resultados obtenidos en esta tesis contribuyen al conocimiento de la supervivencia y uso espacial de la tortuga boba a lo largo de su ciclo vital en el mar Mediterráneo. / [CA] Les tortugues babaues són organismes de gran mobilitat que ocupen hàbitats extensos i diversos, la qual cosa les exposa a diverses amenaces que poden afectar negativament la persistència de les seues poblacions. Delinear mesures prioritàries de conservació per a aquesta espècie és tot un repte degut a l'escassetat del coneixement integrat sobre la seua supervivència, ús d'hàbitat i exposició relativa a amenaces, especialment durant les primeres etapes del seu cicle vital. En la conca occidental de la mar Mediterrània això adquireix major rellevància si es contextualitza en el procés de colonització que està tenint lloc en la zona durant l'última dècada. S'ha registrat un augment en el nombre de nius i femelles nidificants, per a la protecció de les quals s'han pres mesures de gestió com la reubicació de nius i la inclusió de nounats en programes de "*head-*starting". Aquesta conjuntura ha oferit una oportunitat única per a incrementar el coneixement sobre la supervivència, dispersió i ús d'hàbitat de femelles nidificants i post-nounats de tortuga babaua. Cap investigació prèvia ha realitzat un seguiment per satèl·lit de femelles nidificants en el Mediterrani occidental, ni de post-nounats mediterranis amb grandària inferior a 35 cm.
La finalitat d'aquesta tesi és abordar les llacunes de coneixement esmentades i aportar eines per a millorar les estratègies de planificació marina dirigides a la conservació de la tortuga babaua al Mediterrani. Els principals objectius van ser: i) proporcionar les primeres estimacions empíriques de supervivència de post-nounats, *ii) dilucidar les rutes de dispersió i l'ús d'hàbitat en les diferents etapes del cicle vital, *iii) identificar àrees rellevants per a la seua protecció, *iv) avaluar l'eficàcia de les actuals àrees marines protegides (*AMPs) per a la conservació de la tortuga babaua, i *v) proposar mesures de conservació basades en l'anàlisi espacial. Per a això, es van analitzar les trajectòries de 117 tortugues seguides via satèl·lit entre 2003 i 2022. Aquestes dades inclouen les primeres trajectòries de femelles nidificants a Espanya i de post-nounats mediterranis, que s'han publicat en un repositori. A més, es va realitzar la primera avaluació de l'ús d'hàbitat i de *AMPs per tortugues babaues marcades en el Mediterrani occidental, al llarg del seu cicle vital.
Els resultats d'aquesta tesi mostren, per primera vegada, la capacitat de supervivència i dispersió, així com ús d'hàbitat de post-nounats de tortuga babaua al Mediterrani. Les mars Jònic i de Llevant es van identificar com a zones potencials de desenvolupament de post-nounats. D'altra banda, les femelles van mostrar dos comportaments diferents durant el període de *inter-implantació: i) fidelitat a la zona de nidificació, o *ii) comportament exploratori de nidificació. Durant l'etapa no reproductora, la majoria de les femelles van romandre alimentant-se en aigües oceàniques de la conca algeriana. A més, es va registrar per primera vegada la reemigració d'aquesta espècie per a nidificar de nou a Espanya, la qual cosa confirma que les femelles poden mostrar un cert grau de fidelitat al lloc de nidificació entre cicles reproductors. La present tesi confirma la importància de la conca algeriana per a les tortugues babaues del Mediterrani occidental, en particular per als juvenils i adults. Altres zones identificades com a importants són el sud de la mar Balear, la mar d'Alborán, el canal de Sicília, el nord-est de Tunísia, les aigües de Malta, la mar Tirrena i la mar Jònica, segons l'etapa vital. L'anàlisi de la distribució espacial de la tortuga babaua també ha revelat que la distribució i cobertura actuals de les *AMPs mediterrànies no contribueixen a aconseguir els objectius de conservació per a aquesta espècie. Els resultats obtinguts en aquesta tesi contribueixen al coneixement de la supervivència i ús espacial de la tortuga babaua al llarg del seu cicle vital en la mar Mediterrània. / [EN] Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) are highly mobile organisms, which occupy diverse habitats that often span large distances, exposing them to threats that can negatively impact the ability of their populations to persist. Delineating conservation priority measures for this species is challenging since integrated knowledge on survival, habitat use and the relative exposure to threats remains scarce, especially during the early life stages. In the western Mediterranean basin this is particularly relevant when considering the current colonization process taking place in the area within the last decade. During recent years, records on nesting females and clutches have increased and, when possible, management measures such as nest relocation and head-starting programs have been undertaken. This offers a unique opportunity to fill in the knowledge gaps on survival, dispersal routes and habitat use of loggerhead nesting females and post-hatchlings. No research prior to this thesis has satellite-tracked nesting and post-nesting females in the western Mediterranean, nor Mediterranean post-hatchlings smaller than 35 cm. The present thesis aims to address the aforementioned knowledge gaps and enhance marine planning strategies for loggerhead conservation in the Mediterranean Sea. The main objectives were: i) to provide the first empirical survival estimates for head-started post-hatchlings, ii) to elucidate the dispersal routes and habitat use at different life stages, iii) to identify areas that should be considered for protection, iv) to assess the effectiveness of current marine protected areas (MPAs) and other protection measures for loggerhead conservation, and v) to propose spatial conservation measures based on research findings. To achieve these objectives, trajectories of 117 turtles satellite-tracked between 2003 and 2022 were analyzed. This dataset includes the first tracking data of nesting and post-nesting females in Spain and Mediterranean post-hatchlings, which have been made publicly available in a data repository. Moreover, the first assessment of habitat use and the use of MPAs for loggerhead sea turtles tracked from western Mediterranean thorough their life cycle was conducted.
The outcomes of this thesis revealed, for the first time, the capability of survival and dispersal, as well as the habitat use of post-hatchlings in the Mediterranean Sea. The Ionian and Levant Seas were identified as potential developmental areas for post-hatchlings. Nesting females exhibited three different behaviours during the inter-nesting period: i) some degree of fidelity to a nesting area, ii) an exploratory nesting behavior, or iii) movement towards oceanic waters after tagging. In addition, the first-time remigration of this species to nest in Spain was recorded, confirming that females show some degree of nest site fidelity between breeding cycles. During the non-breeding stage, females remained in most cases foraging in oceanic waters of the Algerian basin. The present thesis has validated the significance of the Algerian basin for loggerhead sea turtles satellite-tracked from the western Mediterranean, particularly for juveniles and adults. In addition, other important areas inhabited by the loggerhead turtles were identified in the southern Balearic Sea, the Alboran Sea, the Sicilian Channel, the Northeast Tunisia, Maltese waters, the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea, depending on the life stage. The analysis of the spatial distribution of the loggerhead sea turtle has also revealed that the current distribution and coverage of Mediterranean MPAs are not effective in achieving this species' conservation goals. Outcomes from the present thesis significantly enhance our understanding of the survival and spatial use of the loggerhead sea turtle throughout its life cycle in the Mediterranean Sea. / I would like to express my gratitude to the Ministry
of Education, Culture and Sports of Spain for the opportunity to develop this thesis under
the predoctoral training grant [FPU15/01823], MEC, Spain. Satellite tagging conducted in
the Valencia region was supported by the “Servicio de Vida Silvestre de la Generalitat
Valenciana”. Additionally, I am thankful for the support received from the contracts:
“Seguimiento mediante marcaje satelital de 10 crías de tortuga boba (Caretta caretta)
nacidas en 2016 en el litoral valenciano" and "Marcaje satelital y seguimiento de hembras
reproductoras de tortuga boba (Caretta caretta) ante episodios de anidación en las playas del
Mediterráneo peninsular y Baleares en 2019", both contracts in the framework of the
project "LIFE IP-PAF INTEMARES [LIFE15 IPE ES 012] "Gestión integrada, innovadora y
participativa de la Red Natura 2000 en el medio marino español”, coordinated by the
Biodiversity Foundation. Similarly, I would like to mention and thank the support received
from the contract "Marcaje satelital y seguimiento de hembras reproductoras de tortuga
boba (Caretta caretta) ante eventos de anidación en el litoral español" funded by the
"Ministerio de Transición Ecológica y Reto Demográfico", Spain. The results of Chapter 6
"Marine protected areas and loggerhead turtles in the Mediterranean Sea" are also part of
action C2.2 of the project LIFE IP INTEMARES. / Abalo Morla, S. (2023). Habitat use and distribution of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean Sea: Implications for marine planning strategies [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/199233 / Compendio
|
Page generated in 0.102 seconds