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Impacts of Artificial Lighting on the Survival of Sea Turtles

Impacts of Artificial Lighting on the Survival of Sea Turtles. Michael Slattery. Why should it matter?. All 6 species of sea turtle that nest in North America are either Endangered or Threatened. Nesting. Generally they nest every 1-3 years

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Impacts of Artificial Lighting on the Survival of Sea Turtles

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  1. Impacts of Artificial Lighting on the Survival of Sea Turtles Michael Slattery

  2. Why should it matter? • All 6 species of sea turtle that nest in North America are either Endangered or Threatened.

  3. Nesting • Generally they nest every 1-3 years • Females always return to the beach from which they hatched • They may lay multiple clutches. • Hatch after 6-13 weeks of incubation

  4. Nest survival • Where they get deposited • Predation • Disease

  5. Hatching success • 80% of the eggs hatch • Upon emergence they’ll orient themselves to the brightest light field. • Only 1 in 1000 hatchlings make it to adulthood and reproduce

  6. Human activities can compound the problem • 53% of the US. Population lives within 60 miles of the Coast. • This requires significant infrastructure. • The beaches are very economically valuable to the US.

  7. Several possible outcomes • Depends on the magnitude of brightness • Pick the wrong way • Sunrise • Swimming pools • Cars • Domestic animals • Natural predators

  8. What do you think? • Low natural success • Human impact • Redirect lights • Lower intensities • Something should be done

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