Written and presented By: Ozzie Damiani, Emiliy Seymour, Miranda Sheppard, Rachael Weagle and...
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Written and presented By: Ozzie Damiani, Emiliy Seymour, Miranda Sheppard, Rachael Weagle and Kirsten Ernst Mentor: Jenny Litt Wondercamp 2010 Leatherback Sea Turtles
Written and presented By: Ozzie Damiani, Emiliy Seymour, Miranda Sheppard, Rachael Weagle and Kirsten Ernst Mentor: Jenny Litt Wondercamp 2010
Written and presented By: Ozzie Damiani, Emiliy Seymour,
Miranda Sheppard, Rachael Weagle and Kirsten Ernst Mentor: Jenny
Litt Wondercamp 2010
Slide 3
COASTLINES coastline- the land and water lying adjacent to a
shoreline. People are concerned about the effects of water on the
land of our coasts, eroding away our worlds landscape but another
thing at risk is the marine life that live in those waters,
especially sea turtles, like the leatherback sea turtle.
Slide 4
ABOUT THE LEATHER BACK TURTLE The Leatherback turtle is the
largest turtle in the world! An average adult leatherback is 4 to 8
feet long, and 500 to 2000 pounds in weight. The leatherback turtle
gets its name from its covering on its back being a carapace, a
much weaker, leather type material that sits in place of a shell.
30 years ago, there were about 115000 female leatherback turtles
that would lay their eggs a year. Today, only about 26 000 female
leatherbacks lay eggs per year. (www.fws.gov)
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=leatherb
ack+turtle+nesting+on+beach&docid=1332131
27847&mid=791C9C774D5FEC46D08C791C
9C774D5FEC46D08C&FORM=LKVR8#
Slide 5
ABOUT THE LEATHERBACK TURTLE This particular breed of turtle
has been around for more then 100 000 000 years! Leatherback
turtles can be found swimming practically anywhere in the world,
swimming as far north as Nunavut and Russia, or as southern as
Australia and Cape Horn, Argentina It is one of the few remaining
sea turtles that swims around our province of Nova Scotia.
Slide 6
NESTING SPOTS Leatherback turtles nest along the coast of
Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Malaysia, Columbia, Indonesia, U.S
Virgin Islands and Florida. They dig holes to settle into, and then
lay their eggs. Red dots-major nesting locations Yellow dots- minor
nesting locations
Slide 7
NESTING OF THE LEATHERBACK TURTLE Throughout the world where
leatherback turtles nest, people eat their eggs. Many nests are
lost to predators like dogs and humans. Because leatherback turtles
nest on beaches, like all species of sea turtles, sometimes these
are destroyed by coastal development because human beings also want
to live and play on these same beaches. Leatherback turtle beaches
are affected by dredging, ship, small boat traffic and
construction.
Slide 8
Bright lights and pollution from these activities disrupts
nesting behavior and confuses hatchlings when they emerge from the
nest, often resulting in a high number of deaths. Explains that
each year most of the babies dont even make it to the water
http://www.sprep.org/factsheets/le atherbacks/index.htm
Slide 9
HUMAN EFFECTS ON THE LEATHERBACK TURTLES. Due to human and
fisheries effect on the leatherback turtles 80-95% of their
population has died over the past 20 years Approximately one
thousand leatherbacks die every year by fishing nests and other
gear. Coastal development can destroy and has degraded leatherback
habitat therefore they cannot nest and no hatchlings will be born,
some of the costal developments that cause this are jetties, sea
walls, hotels and houses. Human alterations to the beach can drive
the turtles away so they will not nest, therefore the population
cannot increase. When plastic bags are placed into the water where
a leatherback is living it may mistake the bag as a jelly fish and
will try to ingest it and it can cause it to die, there for to help
save these turtles we need to not pollution into the waters.
http://www.sprep.org/factsheets/leatherbacks/index.htm
Slide 10
ship and small boat traffic They die from drowning, caused by
getting caught in fishing nets or fishing lines. Pollution like
plastics, old fishing gear and other garbage can lead to death of
leatherbacks if the ingest it or get tangled into it. Chemical
pollutants or oil can cause weakness and make it easier for them to
attract diseases. http://www.sprep.org/factsheets/leatherbacks/ind
ex.htm
http://www.conservation.org/learn/biodiversity/species/profiles/turtles/
sea_turtles/leatherback/Pages/threats.aspx
Slide 11
TEMPERATURES CHANGING: A MAJOR EFFECT!! Lately, the
temperatures have significantly been rising, including the ocean
temperature and sand. If the temperature reaches a peek of 91
degrees Fahrenheit or 31 degrees Celsius, the leatherback turtles
eggs can die, leaving a much lower population. The hatching season
can also be effected. If the temperature rises, which it has been,
there will be a less population of male turtles compared to the
number of females.
http://news.discovery.com/animals/sea-turtles-global-warming.html
http://news.discovery.com/animals/sea-turtles-global-warming.html
http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/species/our_work/climate_change_and_species/species_and_climate_change_more_than_just_the_polar_bear/
http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/species/our_work/climate_change_and_species/species_and_climate_change_more_than_just_the_polar_bear/
Slide 12
INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FEROCIOUS STORMS: When a storm such
as a hurricane, tsunami or cyclone hits a coastline, it can erode
part it away. This causes: Eggs being washed away, a less
population. Changes in when hatchlings are born: more females
compared to males.
http://www.sprep.org/factsheets/leatherbacks/index.htm
http://www.sprep.org/factsheets/leatherbacks/index.htm
Slide 13
THE IMPACT OF RISING SEA LEVELS Sea Levels have risen
approximately 1.8mm per year ever since 1961. This will continue,
slow but at a steady pace. As sea levels rise, and come ashore,
shorelines and beaches, it erodes, loss of eggs. There is less of a
habitat spot for the leatherback turtles to go to. Sea Walls dont
help, when referred to the turtle as they reduce the number of
habitation spots for them.
http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/fact_sheet_red_list_turtle.pdf
http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/fact_sheet_red_list_turtle.pdf
Slide 14
THE IMPORTANCE OF LEATHER BACK TURTLES ON THE OCEAN'S
ECOSYSTEMS. Q: Are leather back turtles really important to the
oceans ecosystem? Q: What role do they play in the oceans
ecosystem? Q: What would happen if these turtles became
extinct?
Slide 15
THE IMPORTANCE OF LEATHERBACK TURTLES ON THE OCEANS ECOSYSTEM.
These turtles bind all of the organism together specifically
through the food chain. They feed on certain plants and microscopic
organisms therefore controlling their population. Some of the
species that they consume are very invasive. They could over
populate in coral reefs. After a short amount of time they could
destroy the coral reefs. These reefs support millions of species of
marine animals and plants. Therefore with the coral reefs gone many
of these species would have a huge risk of becoming endangered or
extinct.
Slide 16
THE IMPORTANCE OF LEATHERBACK TURTLES IN THE OCEANS ECOSYSTEM.
The leather back turtle feeds on invasive plants. Keeping the coral
reef controlled and healthy. Healthy coral reefs.
Slide 17
THE IMPORTANCE OF LEATHERBACK TURTLES ON THE OCEANS ECOSYSTEM.
With a reduced number or extinction of leather back turtles the
coral reefs can no longer thrive. Invasive plants will start to
take over the reef. Unhealthy or destroyed coral reefs.
Slide 18
THE IMPORTANCE OF LEATHERBACK TURTLES ON THE OCEANS ECOSYSTEM.
Leatherback turtles are very important to the earths biodiversity
as well as the oceans ecosystem. If there was an absence
(extinction) of these turtles it could have a disastrous
effect.
Slide 19
THE SOLUTION! If a leatherback turtle lays its eggs on a
populated beach, a barrier should be constructed around the nest.
There should be a small opening for them to get out once they are
hatched.
Slide 20
THE SOLUTION! In the case that a leatherback sea turtle lays
its eggs on a particular shoreline there should be a phone number
or hotline that you can call to report the eggs so that they can be
isolated.
Slide 21
THE SOLUTION! To slow coastal eroding we could stop developing
near the shoreline.
Slide 22
THE SOLUTION! Another way to help coastal erosion would be
beach replenishment and nourishment. Beach replenishment
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/nyregion/new-
jersey/08beachnj.html?_r=1
Slide 23
THE SOLUTION! Other small ways we can make a difference are: Do
not litter along the shorelines. Turn off your outside lights at
night. Watch out for sea turtle eggs on the beaches. If you see old
fishing nets please dispose of them. Pick up litter along the
shoreline.