http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501
Article has an altmetric score of 5 Effect of extreme climatic events resulting in prolonged precipitation on the reproductive output of sea turtles
Fecha
2018Autor
Rivas, M. L.
Spınola, M.
Arrieta, H.
Faife-Cabrera, M.
Institución
Resumen
Anthropogenic climate change is predicted to increase the variation in storm patterns
in some areas in the coming decades. This variation in mean rainfall and increase in
mean temperature could increase the extinction risk of species with temperature dependent sex determination. Taking into account that sea turtle reproductive output
depends on climatic conditions, such as precipitation and temperature, extreme cli matic events could affect the mortality of eggs and hatchlings. Our main goal was to
assess the effects of extreme climatic events resulting in prolonged precipitation epi sodes on the reproductive output of leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea and
how these events might reduce hatchling production. To study how short periods of
protracted rainfall affect leatherback turtle reproductive output, we recorded (1) the
hatching success of n = 48 nests located at 50, 75 and 90 cm depths under sun and
shaded treatments from 2013 to 2015 at the Pacuare Reserve in Caribbean coast of
Costa Rica, (2) the water table level and (3) sand moisture at 10, 25, 50, 75 and
100 cm depths. In addition, we assessed changes in seasonal precipitation, nest abun dance and the annual hatching success of leatherbacks over time. The results show
that prolonged precipitation significantly influenced hatching success. Protracted rain fall increased the water table levels and sand moisture in some places, which conse quently increased egg mortality in deeper nests. These effects may be higher
considering the expected increase in storm frequency. Thus, the assessment of the
effects of these extreme events on nesting grounds is necessary to predict the poten tial extinction risk of sea turtle populations