Competitive interactions between artificial lighting and natural cues during seafinding by hatchling marine turtles

Tuxbury, Susan M.; Salmon, Michael

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2004.04.022

Cited by 125 publications

(93 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Methods presented herein could also be used to estimate the threat of light altering the behaviors of non-seabird taxa, particularly migratory passerines and hatchling marine turtles, traveling through or breeding in human-populated regions (e.g., Cochran and Graber 1958, Witherington 1992, Salmon et al 1995, Jones and Francis 2003, Bird et al 2004, Tuxbury and Salmon 2005, Baker and Richardson 2006, Stone et al 2009, Keenan et al 2007, Kempenaers et al 2010. Maps of viewable light intensity would provide such an estimate in some cases and could be developed using light layers at resolutions finer than the layer used to develop our models (i.e., those displaying individual light sources).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling artificial light viewed by fledgling seabirds

2011

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Abstract. Artificial light is increasing in coverage across the surface of our planet, impacting the behavioral ecology of many organisms. Attraction to sources of artificial light is a significant threat to certain fledgling shearwaters, petrels (Procellariidae), and storm-petrels (Hydrobatidae) on their first nocturnal flights to the sea. Disorientation by light can cause these birds to crash into vegetation or manmade structures, potentially resulting in death from physical injury, starvation, dehydration, predation by introduced predators, or collisions with vehicles. We developed a GIS-based method to model the intensity of artificial light that fledgling procellariids and hydrobatids could view en route to the ocean (to estimate the degree of threat that artificial light poses to these birds) and present two models for the island of Kauai as examples. These models are particularly relevant to the federally threatened Newell's Shearwater, or`A`o (Puffinus newelli ), of which .30,000 fledglings have been collected in response to disorientation by lights on Kauai during the past 30 years. Our models suggest that there are few to no portions of Kauai from which young birds could fledge and not view light on their post-natal nocturnal flights, which is concerning given evidence of a Newell's Shearwater population decline. In future work using this technique, night light intensity layers could be altered to model the effects of modified coastal light conditions on known and potential procellariid and hydrobatid breeding locations. Furthermore, certain methods presented herein may be applicable to other seabirds and additional taxa in which attraction to anthropogenic light poses a serious threat, including migratory passerines and hatchling marine turtles. Components of this modeling approach could potentially be used to spatially estimate effects of other point-source threats to ecological systems, including sound and air pollution.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling artificial light viewed by fledgling seabirds

2011

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“…This has altered the ability of hatchlings to follow the natural light from the moon, which is what orients them toward the sea (Witherington 2000, Silman et al 2002, Salmon 2003, Tuxbury and Salmon 2005, Deem et al 2007). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of artificial lights on the orientation of hatchlings of Eretmochelys imbricata in Pernambuco, Brazil

Simões¹,

Silva²,

Moura³

2017

Zoologia

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ABSTRACT. Sea turtle hatchlings, in natural abiotic conditions, emerge from their nests at night and go directly to the sea, following the moonlight's reflection in the ocean. Increased human activities such as tourism and artificial lights on the coasts, however, have interfered with the ability of sea turtle neonates to find their correct destination, negatively affecting their survival rates. Here we endeavored to assess the influence of artificial lights on the hatchlings of the sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766) in the south coast of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. To that end, 10 experiments were conducted with 15 hatchlings/test subjects. Five experiments took place in artificially illuminated areas and five in non-illuminated areas. Circles with a 2 m radius were drawn on the sand a small 2-3 cm depression was made at the center of each circles. The neonates were then placed in the depressions to simulate their coming from a nest. After the neonates crossed the edge of the circles, their tracks were photographed and drawn on a diagram. To ascertain if the trajectories of the neonates differed between the two groups (hatchlings from illuminated versus non-illuminated nests), the Rayleigh test was used. The significance of those differences was tested using ANOVA. To evaluate similarities and significance of clusters, a Multi-Dimensional Scaling was used. The tracks of 86.67% (N = 65) of the hatchlings from nests at illuminated areas departed from their correct trajectory.The distribution of trajectories was considered random (V = 19.4895, p > 0.05) only for tracks originating from artificially illuminated areas. The movement patterns of hatchlings from illuminated and non-illuminated areas differed significantly (F < 0.0001, p < 0.01). Consistent with this, two distinct groups were identified, one from illuminated and one from non-illuminated areas. Therefore, we conclude that artificial illumination impacts the orientation of hawksbill hatchlings. This suggests that in order to protect this species it is necessary to safeguard its nesting areas from artificial lights.

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“…Here we studied nests in which hatchlings have emerged in natural conditions, on a beach characterized by several natural and artificial visual cues. In a previous study it was suggested that enhancing natural cues could be an efficient conservation strategy, when it is impossible to reduce artificial lights (Tuxbury and Salmon, 2005). The objective of our study was to assess the relative impact of artificial lights, and silhouettes of logs and erosion on leatherback sea turtle hatchling orientation in Pongara National Park, Gabon.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Artificial lights can be a superstimulus that overrides tendencies to orient to other visual cues (Witherington and Martin, 1996). In many cases, the interaction between natural and artificial visual stimuli is competitive: seafinding, disorientation and mis-orientation are graded responses correlated with differences in perceived magnitudes of natural and artificial cues (Tuxbury and Salmon, 2005). The moon usually decreases the impact of artificial light by modulating background illumination and reducing the directivity of the light: directivity being defined as the contrast of irradiance between light sources and background (Verheijen, 1958;Salmon and Witherington, 1995;Tuxbury and Salmon, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%