Turtles are friendly reptiles that depend on the sea, not only for food but also for reproduction. However, a study conducted by WWF has revealed that the increase in ocean temperatures that is experiencing the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef in eastern Australia is contributing to the decline in the green turtle population Australian.
The reason? The incubation temperature of the eggs: the higher it is, the more females there will be, and that is precisely what is happening.
There are about 200.000 breeding female turtles, but there are increasingly fewer males. And all this is due to rising temperatures linked to climate change. Scientists captured green turtles in northern Queensland (Australia) to identify their sex and nesting location. They also performed genetic and endocrinological tests. Thus, they learned that 86,8% of the northernmost population of green turtles were female, while on the southern beaches, which are colder, the percentage of females is between 65 and 69%.
The most worrying thing is that the situation does not seem to change in the short term. According to Dr. Michael Jensen, one of the study's authors, Green turtles in the northern Great Barrier Reef have been producing more females than males for more than two decades, so that this population could become extinct due to the changes that the climate is experiencing.
This study is very important, since allows us to understand the extent to which rising temperatures affect Australian green turtles, and in general, all over the world. Scientists may very well have to implement breeding programs to save them, but at least we wouldn't see them become extinct.
On the Great Barrier Reef, one of the areas with the greatest marine biodiversity, the situation is desperate for green turtles. In the south, where temperatures are lower, the proportion of males remains higher, allowing for a balanced population. However, scientists warn that even there this proportion may be threatened by the gradual rise in temperature and extreme climate changes, as has been documented in other studies on the Climate change and the loss of wealth in the US
According to the published results, in the warmest part of the Great Barrier Reef, the ratio is alarming: one male for every 116 females. This phenomenon is not exclusive to green turtles in Australia., but it has begun to be observed in various species of sea turtles in other parts of the world, where the same conditions are altering the balance of their populations.
Climate change, along with plastic pollution and other human waste, is creating a hostile environment for these creatures. Pollution, in particular, has been shown to have additional negative effects, which could further exacerbate the situation. Recent research has shown that pollutants such as heavy metals can alter reproductive conditions, further favoring the birth of females. A study from Griffith University revealed that the sex ratio can be influenced by the presence of pollutants in nesting environments, reinforcing the need to monitor populations and take urgent action to mitigate pollution in ocean habitats.
The vulnerability of green turtles It is also related to their biology and life cycle. These turtles can take up to 50 years or more to reach sexual maturity, meaning that if the population continues to produce mostly females, the time it takes for the population to regain equilibrium could be too long. Furthermore, the climate change It also affects other reptiles and marine species.
Efforts to conserve green turtle populations must be comprehensive and include climate change mitigation measures. Protecting nesting beaches and reducing ocean pollution are critical steps to ensuring a viable future for green turtles. Awareness and education campaigns are also necessary to engage local communities in the conservation of their habitats.
Green turtles are not only emblematic of the marine ecosystem, but they also play a crucial role in maintaining ocean health. By feeding on algae, they help maintain the balance of coral reef and seagrass ecosystems. Therefore, protecting them means protecting the marine environment as a whole. In this context, it is important to recognize that we have lost control of climate change and its impact on various species.
The research being conducted in the field of marine biology is critical for the future of green turtles. With the goal of gaining a clearer picture of their population status and the impact of climate change, scientists continue to study the effect of temperature on sea turtle biology. Breeding and habitat restoration programs are being implemented in various regions of the world, in the hope of recovering populations before it is too late.
The future of green turtles depends on the collective action of the global community, an action that must be inspired by the need to reverse the course of global warming and the importance of protecting biodiversity. This requires continued commitment and a collaborative effort among scientists, conservationists, and policymakers to ensure these ancient creatures continue to swim in our oceans for many years to come.
The protection of green turtles should be seen as an indicator of the overall health of the oceans and the environment. If we succeed in conserving these turtles, we will be ensuring the well-being of many other species and our own future.
Hello, I wanted to comment that turtles are far from being amphibians, but they are reptiles.