LIFE TURTLENEST - Caretta caretta* nesting range expansion under climate warming: urgent actions to mitigate threats at emerging nesting sites in the Western Mediterranean.

Introduction

Loggerhead turtles are expanding their nesting range into the Western Mediterranean, where beaches are becoming suitable through climate warming. However, the emerging nesting sites are threatened by coastal development and high tourist pressure.

Project Overview

TURTLENEST unites Italy, Spain, and France to mitigate these threats through knowledge-based conservation measures with the aim to protect new nesting habitats and foster successful sea turtle reproduction.

Multi-disciplinary Approach

Through a multi-disciplinary approach, TURTLENEST will improve the conservation status of Caretta caretta, a priority species of the Habitats Directive. This will be aided by:

1. The establishment of an international network.
2. The use of shared best-practice procedures specifically revised to mitigate the threats on emerging nesting sites.
3. The capacity building of trained field operators.
4. The identification of new index sites for monitoring.
5. The strengthening of the Natura 2000 network.

The intention is to consolidate these outcomes to sustain the conservation of sea turtle nesting in the Western Mediterranean after the end of the project.

Awareness Campaigns

Another important part of the actions is dedicated to multiscale awareness campaigns for citizens and stakeholders. These campaigns aim to:

• Use the beaches to increase knowledge of the presence of turtle nests.
• Foster social consensus towards policies for the protection of turtle nesting habitats.

Engagement and Training

Engagement and training programs, especially tailored to educate and engage beach operators and volunteers, will increase the detection rate of sea turtle nests that can be adequately protected.

Research Techniques

In parallel, TURTLENEST will employ next-gen genomic techniques, state-of-the-art satellite telemetry, and stable isotope analysis to fill knowledge gaps in:

• The origin of turtles.
• Key demographic parameters.
• Habitat connectivity.

Habitat Suitability Model

Finally, a specifically developed habitat suitability model will be a tool to guide proactive conservation management of new nest sites under current and future climatic scenarios.