The threats of climate change
Climate change is expected to affect the leatherback sea turtle in a myriad of ways, such as their distribution, nesting behaviour, and future populations[3] [7]. It is not simply due to the effects of rising temperatures, but also due to other factors such as variations in ocean currents, rainfall patterns, sea level, and these impacts on other species that share a relationship with leatherback turtles[3] [7] [14].
Shifting ocean currents and prey availability
While leatherback turtles are able to regulate their body temperature to adapt to temperature changes, they are still reliant on ocean currents for juvenile dispersal, navigation and long-distance migration[1]. The change in ocean current patterns with climate change could possibly impact migration patterns and the ability for adults to track back to habitual nesting sites. The distribution of jellyfish would also be affected by ocean currents and sea surface temperatures, and this change in prey distribution would in turn affect the distribution of leatherback turtles[6] [8].
Lost of nesting sites
Leatherback turtles tend to have specific nesting sites, and in addition to anthropogenic habitat destruction, these beaches are also under the threat of climate-induced erosion and degradation[10] [12]. Increasing sea levels, and increasing storm frequency, leading to flooding and beach erosion, are known to severely degrade nesting beaches[3] [5] [10]. Beach erosion and flooding are also the main causes of nest destruction and hatchling mortality[10]. These factors, along with anthropogenic beach development and sea wall construction, have severely decreased the number of viable nesting sites for leatherback turtles and other marine turtles[7] [12].
Rising temperatures and increased feminisation
With the rise in environmental temperatures, the temperature-sex determination present in leatherback turtles would potentially see an increase in females in future leatherback turtle population[5]. Eggs exposed to higher than normal temperatures might also experience birth defects[7]. However, changes to rainfall patterns may also affect clutch sex ratios, as lower temperatures associated with rainy periods would lower temperatures in favour of more male offspring[5]. The imbalance in genders could severely affect the ability of future generations to breed, largely due to the potential shortage of males as nest temperatures increase.
Shifting ocean currents and prey availability
While leatherback turtles are able to regulate their body temperature to adapt to temperature changes, they are still reliant on ocean currents for juvenile dispersal, navigation and long-distance migration[1]. The change in ocean current patterns with climate change could possibly impact migration patterns and the ability for adults to track back to habitual nesting sites. The distribution of jellyfish would also be affected by ocean currents and sea surface temperatures, and this change in prey distribution would in turn affect the distribution of leatherback turtles[6] [8].
Lost of nesting sites
Leatherback turtles tend to have specific nesting sites, and in addition to anthropogenic habitat destruction, these beaches are also under the threat of climate-induced erosion and degradation[10] [12]. Increasing sea levels, and increasing storm frequency, leading to flooding and beach erosion, are known to severely degrade nesting beaches[3] [5] [10]. Beach erosion and flooding are also the main causes of nest destruction and hatchling mortality[10]. These factors, along with anthropogenic beach development and sea wall construction, have severely decreased the number of viable nesting sites for leatherback turtles and other marine turtles[7] [12].
Rising temperatures and increased feminisation
With the rise in environmental temperatures, the temperature-sex determination present in leatherback turtles would potentially see an increase in females in future leatherback turtle population[5]. Eggs exposed to higher than normal temperatures might also experience birth defects[7]. However, changes to rainfall patterns may also affect clutch sex ratios, as lower temperatures associated with rainy periods would lower temperatures in favour of more male offspring[5]. The imbalance in genders could severely affect the ability of future generations to breed, largely due to the potential shortage of males as nest temperatures increase.