Grant: 23-016R
Project Title: Crawl Scene Investigation (CSI): Measuring Hatchling Mortality from Artificial Lighting
Project Manager: Ashley Britt Chelberg
Organization: Stella Maris Environmental Research (Non-Profit Organization)
Grant Amount: $10,000.00
Completion Date: 2024-06-13
Summary: Beaches in South Brevard County contribute to protection and conservation of marine turtle populations worldwide. Within this coastline, nestles the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, the highest ranked nesting beach in the world where sea turtles exhibit natal philopatry (returning to their birthplace to reproduce). Unfortunately, light pollution is a definitive form of habitat degradation and is a true threat to Brevard's sea turtle nesting and hatchling populations. It is critical to determine the fate of emerging hatchlings and the effects of this particular beach's lighting environment for avoidance of beach mortality. Track evidence of hatchling disorientation has shown that artificial lighting is one of the greatest threats to sea turtles on land. We focus intense data collection on individual "crawl scenes" to measure hatchling mortality and assign these rates to measures of accuracy and precision in hatchling orientation. As part of this project we intend to grow public awareness of lighting as a pollution source for sea turtles in order to reduce human related mortality and exhort long term stewardship. Further, results of this study will be used to inform conservation managers on current lighting ordinance efficacy for protecting sea turtles. Data collected will be shared with FWC/FWRI for temporal study integration and compared to historical data focused on beach lighting affecting hatchling orientation.
Results: The videography tools for data collection and fieldwork were purchased: 1 GoPro HERO. The needed SQM-L photometers have been purchased. We were not able to purchase the additional light meter due to increased individual costs of each meter. The principal investigator and staff
have been working through the sea turtle nesting season: a minimum of 14 hours per week for the PI and 6 hrs weekly throughout the summer into the end of sea turtle nesting season and are paid up to date. The PI and staff have collected light intensity data at two intervals collected during the most optimal time period during minimal lunar illumination at the end of April and May and is applicable for the project. Principle Investigator has completed the collection of hatchling orientation and crawl scene investigation data and has performed
statistical data analysis for mortality measurements with direction from Dr. Witherington and Dr. Hirama.