Environmental pollution and biodiversity: Light pollution and sea turtles in the Caribbean

Abstract

We examine the impact of pollution on biodiversity by studying the effect of coastal light pollution on the sea turtle population in the Caribbean. To this end we assemble a panel data set of sea turtle nesting activity and satellite-derived measures of nighttime light. Controlling for the surveyor effort, the local economic infrastructure, and spatial spillovers, we find that nighttime light significantly reduces the number of sea turtle nests. According to data on replacement costs for sea turtles raised in captivity, our result suggests that the increase in lighting over the last two decades has resulted in the loss of close to 1800 sea turtles in the Caribbean, worth up to $288 million. Incorporating our empirical estimates into a stage-structured population model, we discover that the dynamic effect of nighttime light on future generations of sea turtles is likely to be much larger, with a cost of approximately $2.8 billion for Guadeloupe alone. More generally, our study provides a new approach to valuing the cost of environmental pollution associated with species extinction.Les auteurs examinent l'impact de la pollution sur la biodiversité en étudiant l'effet de la pollution lumineuse côtière sur la population des tortues marines dans les Caraïbes. À cette fin, ils assemblent des données de panel sur l’activité de nidification des tortues marines avec des mesures obtenues par satellite de l’intensité lumineuse. En contrôlant par comptage,par l'infrastructure économique locale et par les externalités spatiales, ils constatent que la pollution lumineuse côtière réduit considérablement le nombre de nids de tortues marines. Selon les données sur les coûts de remplacement avec des tortues élevés en captivité, le résultat suggère que l'augmentation de l’intensité lumineuse au cours des deux dernières décennies a entraîné la perte de près de 1.800 tortues marines dans les Caraïbes, d'une valeur allant jusqu'à 288 millions $. En intégrant ces estimations empiriques dans un modèle de population, les auteurs découvrent que l'effet dynamique de la pollution lumineuse sur les générations futures de tortues marines est susceptible d'être beaucoup plus grande, avec un coût d'environ 2,8 milliards $ pour la seule Guadeloupe. Dans une perspective plus générale, l'étude fournit une nouvelle approche pour évaluer le coût de la pollution environnementale associée à l'extinction des espèces

Leatherback hatchling sea-finding in response to artificial lighting: Interaction between wavelength and moonlight

“…Caribbean region, artificial lightning can reduce reproductive success in sea turtle 308 populations, and accelerate their extinction, which can be associated with economic 309 impacts (Brei et al, 2014). Therefore, keeping nesting beaches in dark conditions is 310 the best and most highly recommended management strategy.…”

Protecting Species through Legislation: The Case of Sea Turtles

“…Without systematic data about emergence success, we cannot be more specific about the effect of STFL ordinances on the annual fecundity rate. Hence, similarly to Brei, Pérez‐Barahona, and Strobl (2016), we modify the annual fecundity as considering τ ( S ) in .…”

“…As in Jin et al (2010) and Brei, Pérez‐Barahona, and Strobl (2016), we concentrate on a five‐year head starting programs. One should note that such head starting programs for turtles are currently implemented in the United States, despite concerns about their effectiveness .…”

“…Moreover, artificial lighting also increases the mortality rate of sea turtle hatchlings because it interferes with hatchlings’ ability to find their way from their nests on the beach to the sea (see, e.g., Tuxbury and Salmon 2005; Lorne and Salmon 2007). In this regard, Brei, Pérez‐Barahona and Strobl (2016) find that coastal light pollution, through its effect on nesting activity, has substantially accelerated the potential extinction of sea turtles in the Caribbean.…”

Robotic Vehicles Enable High-Resolution Light Pollution Sampling of Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches

“…Studies have also utilized satellite-based remote sensing to assess broad scale effects of light pollution on nesting patterns of sea turtles (Kamrowski et al, 2012;Mazor et al, 2013;Brei et al, 2016;Weishampel et al, 2016). Satellite data have been used to compare amounts of light to nesting density on individual nesting beaches; however, satellite pixel size is often much coarser than the width of most nesting beaches and can be subject to cloud cover and moon phase (Kamrowski et al, 2012).…”