Hydrometeorological Variability of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (<i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i>) Nesting Beaches: Implications for Conservation Practices
The conservation of the olive ridley turtle (<i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i>) is increasingly critical due to declining global populations. This study investigates the influence of hydrometeorological conditions on the nesting season and annual hatchling sex ratios conducted at the Playón d...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Anatoliy Filonov Enrique Godínez-Domínguez Iryna Tereshchenko Cesar O. Monzon David Avalos-Cueva María del Refugio Barba-López |
| author_facet | Anatoliy Filonov Enrique Godínez-Domínguez Iryna Tereshchenko Cesar O. Monzon David Avalos-Cueva María del Refugio Barba-López |
| author_sort | Anatoliy Filonov |
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| description | The conservation of the olive ridley turtle (<i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i>) is increasingly critical due to declining global populations. This study investigates the influence of hydrometeorological conditions on the nesting season and annual hatchling sex ratios conducted at the Playón de Mismaloya Federal Reserve in Tomatlán, Jalisco, Mexico. The research specifically examines variations in sand temperature at both the beach surface and nesting depths, with extended measurements taken at multiple depths (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 cm) to analyze the vertical temperature gradient along the beach. Atmospheric parameters were modeled using Newton’s Cooling Law and solved with the finite difference method to estimate heat loss rates from beach sand to its surroundings, shedding light on microclimatic effects on incubation and embryonic development. Meteorological data were gathered from an automatic weather station, while sand temperatures were monitored with thermographs. During the warm period (approximately 32 °C), sand temperature showed a negative correlation with depth (20–100 cm), indicating cooler temperatures at greater depths. These conditions were associated with female-biased hatchling production. Conversely, the cold period (approximately 28 °C) led to male-biased hatchling production, with a positive correlation between sand and air temperatures. This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring in situ environmental conditions and extending the protection season until February to avoid the loss of male hatchlings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a9b1c3cff46c4c60918dc88ac05ad3e2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3263 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Geosciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-a9b1c3cff46c4c60918dc88ac05ad3e22025-01-24T13:34:08ZengMDPI AGGeosciences2076-32632025-01-011511110.3390/geosciences15010011Hydrometeorological Variability of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (<i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i>) Nesting Beaches: Implications for Conservation PracticesAnatoliy Filonov0Enrique Godínez-Domínguez1Iryna Tereshchenko2Cesar O. Monzon3David Avalos-Cueva4María del Refugio Barba-López5Department of Physics, University of Guadalajara, Blvd. Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Guadalajara C.P. 44430, Jalisco, MexicoDepartment of Coastal Zones, University of Guadalajara, V. Gomez Farias 82, San Patricio-Melaque C.P. 48980, Jalisco, MexicoDepartment of Physics, University of Guadalajara, Blvd. Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Guadalajara C.P. 44430, Jalisco, MexicoDepartment of Project Engineering, University of Guadalajara, Blvd. Jose Guadalupe Zuno 48, Industrial los Belenes, Zapopan 45157, Jalisco, MexicoDepartment of Civil Engineering and Topography, University of Guadalajara, Blvd. Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Guadalajara C.P. 44430, Jalisco, MexicoDepartment of Physics, University of Guadalajara, Blvd. Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Guadalajara C.P. 44430, Jalisco, MexicoThe conservation of the olive ridley turtle (<i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i>) is increasingly critical due to declining global populations. This study investigates the influence of hydrometeorological conditions on the nesting season and annual hatchling sex ratios conducted at the Playón de Mismaloya Federal Reserve in Tomatlán, Jalisco, Mexico. The research specifically examines variations in sand temperature at both the beach surface and nesting depths, with extended measurements taken at multiple depths (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 cm) to analyze the vertical temperature gradient along the beach. Atmospheric parameters were modeled using Newton’s Cooling Law and solved with the finite difference method to estimate heat loss rates from beach sand to its surroundings, shedding light on microclimatic effects on incubation and embryonic development. Meteorological data were gathered from an automatic weather station, while sand temperatures were monitored with thermographs. During the warm period (approximately 32 °C), sand temperature showed a negative correlation with depth (20–100 cm), indicating cooler temperatures at greater depths. These conditions were associated with female-biased hatchling production. Conversely, the cold period (approximately 28 °C) led to male-biased hatchling production, with a positive correlation between sand and air temperatures. This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring in situ environmental conditions and extending the protection season until February to avoid the loss of male hatchlings.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/1/11olive ridley<i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i>climate variabilitymeasurements of air and sand temperaturenesting variability |
| spellingShingle | Anatoliy Filonov Enrique Godínez-Domínguez Iryna Tereshchenko Cesar O. Monzon David Avalos-Cueva María del Refugio Barba-López Hydrometeorological Variability of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (<i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i>) Nesting Beaches: Implications for Conservation Practices Geosciences olive ridley <i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i> climate variability measurements of air and sand temperature nesting variability |
| title | Hydrometeorological Variability of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (<i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i>) Nesting Beaches: Implications for Conservation Practices |
| title_full | Hydrometeorological Variability of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (<i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i>) Nesting Beaches: Implications for Conservation Practices |
| title_fullStr | Hydrometeorological Variability of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (<i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i>) Nesting Beaches: Implications for Conservation Practices |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hydrometeorological Variability of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (<i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i>) Nesting Beaches: Implications for Conservation Practices |
| title_short | Hydrometeorological Variability of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (<i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i>) Nesting Beaches: Implications for Conservation Practices |
| title_sort | hydrometeorological variability of olive ridley sea turtle i lepidochelys olivacea i nesting beaches implications for conservation practices |
| topic | olive ridley <i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i> climate variability measurements of air and sand temperature nesting variability |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/1/11 |
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