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Early-season hurricane Beryl’s impact on marine turtle nesting in Martinique

par Langel, Jessie-Lee;Vanleynseele, Chloé;Fournier, Denis ;Tremblay, Réjean;De Montgolfier, Benjamin
Référence Caribbean journal of science, 54, page (323-328)
Publication Publié, 2024-10-15

Article révisé par les pairs

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Résumé :

The countries of the Caribbean basin are regularly subjected to intense climatic events such as hurricanes. In early July 2024, Hurricane Beryl became the earliest Category 4 hurricane on record, striking Martinique with unprecedented intensity. These extreme weather events pose a significant threat to the breeding success of endangered sea turtles in the Caribbean. The main objective of this research was to determine the direct impact of Hurricane Beryl on the nesting populations of Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) and Hawskbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). We estimated the different levels of the coastline in order to evaluate the evolution of the sea level height, swell intensity, and erosion across three beaches that were being monitored during the sea turtle nesting season. Map analyses show a total loss of Leatherback turtle nests due to submersion. While Hawskbill turtle nests were also submerged, the impact on egg survival is yet to be fully determined as short-term immersion could have less severe effects, especially for nests located further from the shoreline. These observations highlight the devastating consequences of Hurricane Beryl, in particular for Leatherback turtle nests. The increasing frequency and intensity of early-season hurricanes may have long-term implications for sea turtle populations in the Caribbean.