The effect of on-shore light pollution on sea-turtle hatchlings commencing their off-shore swim
Zoe Truscott A , David T. Booth A C and Colin J. Limpus B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Qld 4072, Australia.
B Threatened Species Unit, Queensland Government Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Brisbane, Qld 4001, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: d.booth@uq.edu.au
Wildlife Research 44(2) 127-134 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR16143
Submitted: 28 July 2016 Accepted: 9 February 2017 Published: 14 March 2017
Abstract
Context: Off-shore recruitment impairment of sea-turtle hatchlings because of light pollution is a growing concern to conservation of sea-turtle population throughout the world. Studies have focussed on sea-turtle hatchling sea-finding behaviour, and ignored the possible effect that on-shore lighting might have on hatchlings after they have entered the sea.
Aims: We experimentally evaluated the effect that on-shore light pollution has on the swimming behaviour of green turtle hatchlings once they have entered the sea and begun swimming off-shore. We also estimated the decrease in off-shore recruitment of hatchlings as a result of light pollution disruption of the off-shore swim.
Methods: Hatchling misorientation rates were quantified by releasing marked hatchlings to the sea from different land-based locations adjacent to light-polluted beach areas under a variety of environmental conditions. The beach in light-polluted regions was then searched for marked hatchlings returning to shore from the sea.
Key results: Misorientation rates were highest in trials conducted during moonless nights (66.7% of trials had some hatchlings return to shore) and lowest during trials conducted during moonlit nights (no trials had hatchlings return to shore). Green turtle hatchling off-shore recruitment for the entire 2014–15 nesting season at Heron Island was estimated to decrease 1.0 –2.4% as a result of on-shore lights disrupting hatchling off-shore swimming behaviour.
Conclusions: On moonless nights, sea-turtle hatchlings after having successfully completed their journey from nest to sea and entered the sea can be lured back to shore again by shore-based light pollution and, this will decrease their off-shore recruitment success.
Implications: To ensure maximum off-shore recruitment of sea-turtle hatchlings, on-shore light pollution adjacent to nesting beaches needs to be minimised so as to minimise misorientation and disorientation of hatchlings while on the beach and in near-shore waters.
Additional keywords: Chelonia mydas, green turtle, Heron Island, misorientation, recruitment, swimming.
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