Sea Turtle Nest Tide Lab: Storm Surge, Wave Run-up, Berm Height and Hatching Success

What Are Sea Turtle Nests?

Sea turtle nests are crucial for the survival of hatchlings. Female turtles lay their eggs on sandy beaches during specific times of the year, typically at night to avoid predators. The eggs incubate underground until they hatch after about two months.

The success rate of hatching depends on various environmental factors such as temperature and moisture levels within the nest.

Role of Tides in Sea Turtle Nesting

Tides play a significant role in determining where sea turtles choose to lay their eggs. They typically prefer high-tide areas for nesting, as these locations are less exposed to wave action and more stable.

Changes in tides can affect the location and stability of nests, influencing hatching success.

Storm Surge and Wave Dynamics

A storm surge is a rise in sea level caused by strong winds associated with storms. This phenomenon can flood coastal areas, posing a significant threat to sea turtle nests.

Wave dynamics, including wave run-up (the height of the waves as they break on the shore) and berm height (the elevation of the beach surface), also play critical roles in determining whether nests are flooded or washed out.

Impact of Sea-Level Rise

Sea-level rise due to climate change is altering coastal ecosystems, including nesting beaches for sea turtles. Higher sea levels can lead to more frequent flooding of nests and changes in berm height.

Understanding these impacts helps conservation efforts aimed at protecting sea turtle populations.

Frequently asked questions

Try it live

Everything above runs in your browser — open Sea Turtle Nest Tide Lab: Storm Surge, Wave Run-up, Berm Height and Hatching Success and change the parameters while it is running. Nothing is installed, nothing is uploaded, the whole model lives in one tab.