The effects of warming on loggerhead turtle nesting counts

Global trends in marine turtle nesting numbers vary by region, influenced by environmental or anthropogenic factors. Our study investigates the potential role of past temperature fluctuations on these trends, particularly whether warmer beaches are linked to increased nesting due to higher female production (since sea turtles have temperature-dependent sex determination). We selected the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) due to its wide distribution, strong philopatry and vulnerability to environmental changes. We compiled nest counts per year on 35 globally significant rookeries, analysing trends at regional and individual beach levels. We compiled air (CHELSA) and land surface (MODIS) temperature data sets spanning the last four decades (1979-2023) for each location. To analyse temporal trends in nest counts and temperatures, we used generalised additive models and Mann-Kendall trend tests. Additionally, we correlated nest counts with lagged air temperature variables. We found significant warming at 33 nesting locations, 23 of which also showed significant increases in nest counts. Our results suggest that rising temperatures may be boosting nest numbers in regions of the Caribbean, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean (sites in Cayman, Mexico, Brazil, Cyprus and Turkey). Furthermore, while some regions temporarily benefit, continued warming could precipitate long-term population declines. This regional variability helps predict species responses to climate change, with the general global increase in nest counts already indicating short-term warming effects. Nesting count trends might reflect a combination of natural ecological phenomena, conservation efforts, and warming effects. Long-term studies are needed to assess global trends in the sex ratio of hatchlings and the extent to which feminisation is driving nest numbers.

A grant from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) supports the work of DSG (https://doi.org/10.54499/2020.04775.BD), co-supported by the European Social Fund through the NORTE 2020. FB was supported through the contract (https://doi.org/10.54499/DL57/2016/CP1370/CT0106) from the University of Coimbra and by FCT through the strategic project UIDB/04004/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/04004/2020). AM was supported by the Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), MAVA Foundation and the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund of NOAA. NS is supported by a CEEC2017 contract (CEECIND/02213/2017) from FCT.

Peer reviewed