Geographically closed, yet so different: Contrasting long-term trends at two adjacent sea turtle nesting populations in Taiwan due to different anthropogenic effects.

ABSTRACT: Marine turtles are endangered megafauna that face both natural disturbances and anthropogenic threats. The islands of Wan-an and Lanyu support two important green turtle nesting populations in Taiwan and are separated by 250 km. Nesting activity was first documented on Wan-an Island in 1992, with 8 nesting females being documented. A further 11 nesting females were first documented on Lanyu Island in 1997. However, by 2015, the Wan-an Island population declined to only 2 nesting females, whereas the Lanyu Island population showed peaks in abundance (up to 24 nesters) every 3-5 years with no long-term decline. Additionally, the recruitment of new nesters to the Wan-an Island population decreased to 15%, whereas recruitment into the Lanyu Island population remained high (66%). The decrease o

SUBMITTER: Cheng IJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6067716 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature