On the effects of climate change on Galápagos green turtle Chelonia mydas agassizii neonate mortality in A1B
AbstractClimate change affects every crevice and corner of the ecological world. Already we see seasonal effects on important ecosystems such as the marine habitats of the Galápagos Archipelago. This paper looks at the year 2100 in the IPCC scenario A1B, looking specifically at Chelonia mydas agassizii and seeing whether it will be a “winner” or a “loser” under climate change. We discover that while neonate hatchlings may benefit from a compressed laying period that offers them protection by way of numbers, and speed from the increased ocean temperatures (SST), they lose out many other places. Frigatebird and reef fish predation will increase, hatchling size and fitness may decrease, and a surplus of female hatchlings will be produced, or none at all as nest temperatures rise above the thermal mortality limit. Chelonia mydas agassizii will need serious conservation help if we wish to keep it on this earth by the year 2100 even if we opt for the A1B strategy.