More leatherback turtles forecast for UK.
24/10/2006 00:00:00
Warmer waters to attract more turtles.
Swansea University researchers believe that one of Britain’s oldest species is likely to become an even more frequent visitor to the seas around the UK and Ireland – simply because the water is getting warmer.
Leatherback Turtles have been around for over 65 million years - when dinosaurs still ruled the Earth. Nowadays, they are still one of the largest reptiles on the planet, growing to two metres in length and weighing several hundred kilograms. Due to their large size, there are few natural predators for adult leatherbacks and yet the species is critically endangered: swordfish and tuna fisheries are responsible for many incidental by-catches, which has serious diminished numbers.
Swansea University researchers believe that one of Britain’s oldest species is likely to become an even more frequent visitor to the seas around the UK and Ireland – simply because the water is getting warmer.
Leatherback Turtles have been around for over 65 million years - when dinosaurs still ruled the Earth. Nowadays, they are still one of the largest reptiles on the planet, growing to two metres in length and weighing several hundred kilograms. Due to their large size, there are few natural predators for adult leatherbacks and yet the species is critically endangered: swordfish and tuna fisheries are responsible for many incidental by-catches, which has serious diminished numbers.
Leatherbacks mainly appear in UK waters during August and September and their seasonal occurrence could be linked either to seasonally available food resources or to water temperature. However, plankton data from around the UK, collected by the Continuous Plankton Recorder survey, shows that there are peaks in the abundance of plankton in the spring, summer and autumn, which contrasts with the occurrence of leatherbacks mainly when the seas are warmest in August and September.
Professor Graeme Hays, from Swansea University’s School of the Environment and Society, has led international efforts to save the leatherback from extinction. The research group, which monitors turtle populations and their behaviour with satellite tags, has revealed the wide ranging movements of the species. The study, recently published online in Global Change Biology, shows how leatherback turtles are likely to become even more abundant around the UK and Ireland due to rising water temperatures.
Professor Graeme Hays, from Swansea University’s School of the Environment and Society, has led international efforts to save the leatherback from extinction. The research group, which monitors turtle populations and their behaviour with satellite tags, has revealed the wide ranging movements of the species. The study, recently published online in Global Change Biology, shows how leatherback turtles are likely to become even more abundant around the UK and Ireland due to rising water temperatures.
Data relayed from the satellite tags attached to leatherbacks, confirmed that individuals headed south once the water started to cool in the autumn. This suggests that water temperature drives the seasonal occurrences of leatherbacks. Over the last couple of decades, the North Atlantic has warmed, with warmer water being found further north each year. Based on this oceanographic data it is likely that the range of leatherback turtles has extended north by around 330 km over the last 20 years – a trend that is expected to continue if climate change accelerates.
Professor Hays explained that 'recent climate changes have had a number of clear impacts on biological systems. As areas warm, so some species have been found to expand their range while others contract. This effect has been seen in a range of invertebrates, such as marine plankton, as well a vertebrates, such as fish. Consequently, we are now seeing it with leatherback turtles.
The leatherback is clearly an intriguing species that interests people – the research group’s website (www.swansea.ac.uk/bs/turtle) has had well over a million hits since January this year. Assuming the temperature of the seas around the UK continue to rise, we can expect to see even more of these amazing creatures in the years to come.'
Professor Hays explained that 'recent climate changes have had a number of clear impacts on biological systems. As areas warm, so some species have been found to expand their range while others contract. This effect has been seen in a range of invertebrates, such as marine plankton, as well a vertebrates, such as fish. Consequently, we are now seeing it with leatherback turtles.
The leatherback is clearly an intriguing species that interests people – the research group’s website (www.swansea.ac.uk/bs/turtle) has had well over a million hits since January this year. Assuming the temperature of the seas around the UK continue to rise, we can expect to see even more of these amazing creatures in the years to come.'
