Impacts of climate change on breeding success of Green Turtles Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758) (Testudines: Cheloniidae) in Brazilian Islands

Abstract

Sea turtles are vulnerable to effects of climate change, the increase in temperature leads to a higher production of female turtles, the increase in the frequency of extreme weather events increases the impact of nest loss in the affected areas, moreover, projections indicate that the rising sea levels will lead to a potential loss of current nesting areas. In view of this, the goals of the study are: (1) Access sand and air temperature data in two Green Turtle nesting areas (2) Study the relationship of climatic characteristics and the possible impacts on the reproduction of Green Turtles. To achieve these objectives, we access the temperature of sand and turtle nests in Atol das Rocas and in Trindade Island. Dataloggers were buried in Atol das Rocas during the 2017 and 2018 season and in Trindade Island in 2011, historical data on air temperature were also accessed at both locations. The data show current and historical temperature averages below 29.2 ° C in the Atol das Rocas, this is important as pivotal temperatures for Green Turtles are close to that temperature. Green Turtles’ nest in the hottest months of the year. which can lead to sex ratio biased and high mortality rates. This work is a first access to thermal profiles and the impacts that climate change may have on the reproduction of Green Turtles in Brazil.