Effectiveness of Concealed Nest Protection Screens Against Domestic Predators for Green (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) Sea Turtles

Published source details Pheasey H., McCargar M., Glinsky A. & Humphreys N. (2018) Effectiveness of Concealed Nest Protection Screens Against Domestic Predators for Green (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) Sea Turtles. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 17, 263-270.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

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	Protect nests and nesting sites from predation using artificial nest covers: Sea turtles Action Link

Protect nests and nesting sites from predation using artificial nest covers: Sea turtles

A replicated, controlled study in 2014–2015 on one sandy beach on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica (Pheasey et al. 2018) found that using a screen to cover green turtle Chelonia mydas and hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata nests resulted in a similar number of predation attempts by domestic dogs Canis lupus familiaris compared to when no screen was used, but the success of predation attempts varied depending on screen type. The number of predation attempts was similar for nests covered with plastic screens compared to those without screens (data reported as statistical model results). The number of successful predation attempts depended on whether a bamboo screen (16 of 31, 52%), a plastic screen (38 of 47, 81%) or no screen (31 of 31, 100%) was used to cover the nest. Fewer predation attempts were made on nests when screens were deployed just after eggs were laid (74% of nests) compared to just before hatchlings emerged (97% of nests) (number/treatment not reported), though the likelihood of successful predation did not differ (data reported as statistical model result). In March-October 2014–2015, a total of 227 nests were either covered with a plastic or bamboo screen or were left with no screen (number/treatment not reported). Screens were buried over the top of nests at a depth of 25–30 cm for green turtle nests and 10 cm for hawksbill nests. All nests were checked for predation attempts daily during the whole incubation period.

(Summarised by: William Morgan)