Aiding sea turtle conservation through coastal management

Frontiers in Marine Science, vol. 12

Abstract

Climate change and human activity pose increasing challenges to endangered sea turtles, which are key species in many marine ecosystems worldwide. Among these challenges are the flooding and erosion of nesting beaches. In this perspective, we argue that existing methods and tools from coastal science and management hold significant, yet underused, potential for sea turtle conservation. We introduce a stepwise framework for integrating sea turtle ecology and coastal management to address these coastal threats. The framework follows an Observe–Understand–Predict–Intervene cycle and links ecological thresholds, coastal processes, and management interventions across scales, from Regional Management Units (RMUs) to individual beaches. We illustrate how state-of-the-art monitoring, modeling, and nature-based solutions (NBS) can be embedded within this framework to inform when and how to intervene. Increased in-situ data collection and interdisciplinary collaboration will be critical to apply and refine this approach, thereby enhancing the long-term resilience of nesting habitats.

Authors 7

1. Jakob C. Christiaanse corresponding

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands

2. Ad Reniers

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands

3. Stefan Aarninkhof

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands

4. Elias F. Ostertag Aachen Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management

   RWTH Aachen University · Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands

   Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

5. Ronel Nel

   Nelson Mandela University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa

   General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

6. Carlos Manuel Duarte

   King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Biosciences and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

7. José A. Á. Antolínez

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands