The Atlantic Sargassum invasion impedes beach access for nesting sea turtles

Abstract

One characteristic of global change is an increase in the frequency and magnitude of algae blooms. Although a large body of work has documented severe ecological impacts, such as mortality due to toxins or hypoxia, less research has described sublethal effects that may still affect population dynamics. Here, we focus on blooming Sargassum macroalgae in the North Atlantic and describe effects on nesting sea turtles. Since 2011, large masses of the algae have been inundating Atlantic nesting habitats. We documented the accumulation of Sargassum at Long Island, Antigua, and quantified effects on a rookery of hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). Using monitoring data from 2010 to 2019, we analyzed population- and individual-level patterns in nesting. Our results suggest that sea turtles respond to Sargassum at nesting beaches by shifting space use away from heavily impacted areas. We also tested for an effect on nesting success, but found no change in the years and areas most impacted by Sargassum. The algae may not increase the energetic costs of nesting after a turtle has emerged onto the beach, but we speculate that costs are imposed in algae-filled waters as turtles initially seek to emerge. As the Sargassum “invasion” continues, sea turtles at impacted sites will need to exhibit plasticity when choosing nesting sites, and nest densities may increase in areas with less Sargassum present. Individuals may also be required to expend more energy per nesting season. More broadly, this work demonstrates that algae blooms can have sublethal effects on fauna that affect population dynamics.

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