Factors affecting nesting beach selection by loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta): a multiple regression approach

• Published in: Journal of zoology (1987) Vol. 249; no. 4; pp. 447 - 454
• Main Authors: Kikukawa, Akira, Kamezaki, Naoki, Ota, Hidetoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Cambridge University Press 01.12.1999; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Caretta caretta; multiple regression analysis; nesting beach selection; Okinawa Islands; sea turtles; nesting beach selection; multiple regression analysis; sea turtles; Caretta caretta; Okinawa Islands
• ISSN: 0952-8369; 1469-7998
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1999.tb01214.x

Based on data obtained from 3 years' fieldwork in Okinawajima and adjacent islands of the central Ryukyus, Japan, various physical and human-related beach characters were assessed for their relative influence on beach selection by nesting sea turtles using multiple regression analysis. Of the 23 characters considered, sand softness (measured by a specially designed tool) (positive), distance from the nearest human settlement (positive), presence of lagoon (positive), beach length (negative), and beach height (positive) were selected as influential variables in descending order. Explanations were attempted for such results in the light of correlates of these beach characters with natural and artificial factors that are believed to impact the nesting success of female sea turtles.