An Introduction to Sea Turtles: Costa Rica Draft #1

This topic submitted by Gina Hayes ( hayesgl@muohio.edu) at 3:22 PM on 3/7/05.

The Alien Song--Interesting! (Quicktime movie)

Tropical Field Courses -Interdisciplinary Studies-Miami University

An Introduction to Sea Turtles: Costa Rica-Draft #1

This discussion will include information on the history, general biology, nesting site behaviors, migration patterns, associated (human and environmental) risks and the future of sea turtle populations, specifically leatherback sea turtles. I will include examples and interesting information on the conservation efforts that are taking place around the globe. I selected this topic because of the importance of public awareness on the subject. It is important that people/public learn of the problems associated with sea turtle populations and what they can do to help.

An Introduction to Sea Turtles

I. Introduction and history of sea turtle populations
A. Length of time present/evolution
B. Interesting facts

II. General biology
A. General information
B. Leatherback specifics

III. Nesting site behaviors and Migration patterns
A. General information
B. Leatherback specifics

IV. Risks associated with sea turtle populations
A. Human-induced
B. Environmental/Natural risks

V. Future for sea turtle populations
A. General info for all populations
B. Leatherback's futures
C. Conservation efforts
a. Costa Rica conservation information

References:

1. Burger, J., & Garber, S. (1995) Risk assessment, life history strategies, and turtles: could declines be prevented or predicted? Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 46, 483-500.

2. Hays, G. (2004) Good news for sea turtles. TRENDS in Ecology and Evolution, 19 (7), 349-351.

3. Hays, G., Broderick, A., Glen, F., & Godley, B. (2003) Climate change and sea turtles: a 150-year reconstruction of incubation temperatures at a major marine turtle rookery. Global Change Biology, 9, 642-646.

4. Jones, A. (2004) Sea turtles: old viruses and new tricks. Current Biology, 14, R842-R843.

5. Kamel, S., & Mrosovsky, N. (2003) Nest site selection in leatherbacks, Dernochelys coriacea: individual patterns and their consequences. Animal Behaviour, 68, 357-366.

6. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Office of Protected Resources. (n.d.) Marine Turtles. Retrieved February 2, 2005 from http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles

7. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (n.d.) Endangered Species Act of 1973. Retrieved February 12, 2005 from http://endangered.fws.gov/esa.html#Lnk09

8. Longcore, T., & Rich, C. (2004) Ecological Light Pollution. Frontiers in ecology and the environment, 2 (4), 191-198.

9. Lewison, R., Crowder, L., Read, A., & Freeman, S. (2004) Understanding impacts of fisheries bycatch on marine megafauna. TRENDS in Ecology and Evolution, 19 (11), 598-604.

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