Dr. Ayfer Şirin: “Sea turtles offer us a very fast warning system”

Instructor Dr. Ayfer Şirin from Üsküdar University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, drew attention to the effects of global warming on the nesting and reproduction processes of sea turtles in her assessment to Reuters ahead of COP31. Şirin, who examined the relationship between climate parameters and sea turtle nesting behavior in her doctoral study, stated that temperature increases can advance nesting time, shorten the incubation period, and affect the sex ratio of hatchlings. Şirin also emphasized that these creatures, which utilize both marine and terrestrial ecosystems, provide important indicators for understanding the environmental impacts of climate change. Şirin said, “Sea turtles offer us a very fast warning system.”

The effects of climate change on the Mediterranean ecosystem are among the important topics on the international agenda ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP31. 

In the news titled “Turtles offer early warning from a warming Mediterranean ahead of COP31” published by Reuters, evaluations by Instructor Dr. Ayfer Şirin of Üsküdar University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, on sea turtles and climate change were included.
Şirin researched the effects of climate parameters on the nesting behaviors of sea turtles in her doctoral study. Highlighting the effects of global warming ahead of COP31, Şirin stated that the dependent life of sea turtles on both terrestrial and marine ecosystems serves as an important indicator for monitoring environmental changes.

Instructor Dr. Ayfer Şirin: “Sea turtles offer us a very fast warning system”

Stating that there is an important relationship between terrestrial and marine ecosystems in the life cycles of sea turtles, Şirin said in her evaluations to Reuters; “Sea turtles actually provide us with a warning system in this regard. They use both terrestrial ecosystems, having an area they come to for nesting, the beaches. They also use the marine ecosystem. Feeding and living areas are the marine ecosystem. There is a very significant balancing factor between the two.”

Şirin stated that changes occurring in the habitats of sea turtles are important not only for these creatures but also for understanding interconnected ecosystems, thus emphasizing the need to closely monitor the behavior and reproductive processes of turtles.

Temperature increase affects nesting times

Sea turtles are among the creatures with seasonal reproductive cycles. Changes in air and sand temperatures can affect the start and duration of the nesting period. According to Şirin’s research findings reported to Reuters, it is stated that with increasing temperatures, sea turtles begin to emerge onto land earlier, and changes in the duration of the reproductive period can be observed.

Şirin stated in her assessment that in addition to changes in nesting time, the shortening of the incubation period and the sex development of hatchlings were also among the important topics of her research.

Temperature is decisive in the sex development of hatchlings…

In sea turtles, the sex of the hatchlings is affected by the temperature of the nest where the eggs develop. Therefore, an increase in sand temperature can cause a shift in the sex ratio of hatchlings in favor of female individuals.

In Şirin’s five-year research conducted at Patara Beach as part of her doctoral study, the relationship between temperature increase, nesting behaviors, incubation period, and the sex ratio of hatchlings was examined. According to the research results reported in the Reuters news, it was estimated that approximately 70% of the hatchlings in the studied population were female on average.

The research pointed out that the imbalance in sex ratio could pose a long-term risk to reproductive success and population continuity, and it was assessed that the behavioral adaptations of sea turtles might not be sufficient on their own to offset the effects of climate change.

Rising temperatures can also affect embryo development

An increase in sand temperature can affect not only the sex ratio of hatchlings but also the development process of eggs. As the temperature rises, the incubation period can shorten, and embryo development can be negatively affected under excessively hot conditions.

These changes reveal that the reproductive success of sea turtles is closely related to climate conditions. Especially the potential for embryo losses in nests where temperatures reach critical levels makes monitoring nesting areas and continuing scientific studies on the effects of climate change important.

Protection of marine ecosystems stands out ahead of COP31

Sea turtles in the Mediterranean face various threats such as plastic pollution, fishing activities, and boat strikes, in addition to climate change. The combined consideration of these threats is important for the protection of marine ecosystems and the sustainability of biodiversity.
While discussions on the protection of seas and coastal ecosystems continue ahead of COP31, the changes observed in the life cycles of sea turtles are among the examples that highlight the effects of the climate crisis. Instructor Dr. Ayfer Şirin’s research also reveals the importance of monitoring the effects of temperature changes on the behavior and reproductive biology of living organisms with scientific data.

For the Reuters news: