Informing research priorities for immature sea turtles through expert elicitation

Natalie E. Wildermann; Christian Gredzens; Larisa Avens; Hector A. Barrios-Garrido; Ian Bell; Janice Blumenthal; Alan B. Bolten; Joanne Braun McNeill; Paolo Casale; Maikon Di Domenico; Camila A. Domit; Sheryan P. Epperly; Matthew H. Godfrey; Brendan J. Godley; Victoria González-Carman; Mark Hamann; Kristen M. Hart; Takashi Ishihara; Kate Mansfield; Tasha L. Metz; Jeffrey D. Miller; Nicolas J. Pilcher; Mark A. Read; Christopher Sasso; Jeffrey A. Seminoff; Erin E. Seney; Amanda Southwood Williard; Jesús Tomás; Gabriela M. Vélez-Rubio; Matthew Ware; Jessica L. Williams; Jeanette Wyneken; Mariana M. P. B. Fuentes

doi:10.3354/esr00916

Informing research priorities for immature sea turtles through expert elicitation

Endangered Species Research

By: Natalie E. Wildermann, Christian Gredzens, Larisa Avens, Hector A. Barrios-Garrido, Ian Bell, Janice Blumenthal, Alan B. Bolten, Joanne Braun McNeill, Paolo Casale, Maikon Di Domenico, Camila A. Domit, Sheryan P. Epperly, Matthew H. Godfrey, Brendan J. Godley, Victoria González-Carman, Mark Hamann, Kristen M. Hart, Takashi Ishihara, Kate Mansfield, Tasha L. Metz, Jeffrey D. Miller, Nicolas J. Pilcher, Mark A. Read, Christopher Sasso, Jeffrey A. Seminoff, Erin E. Seney, Amanda Southwood Williard, Jesús Tomás, Gabriela M. Vélez-Rubio, Matthew Ware, Jessica L. Williams, Jeanette Wyneken, and Mariana M. P. B. Fuentes

https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00916

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Abstract

Although sea turtles have received substantial focus worldwide, research on the immature life stages is still relatively limited. The latter is of particular importance, given that a large proportion of sea turtle populations comprises immature individuals. We set out to identify knowledge gaps and identify the main barriers hindering research in this field. We analyzed the perceptions of sea turtle experts through an online survey which gathered their opinions on the current state of affairs on immature sea turtle research, including species and regions in need of further study, priority research questions, and barriers that have interfered with the advancement of research. Our gap analysis indicates that studies on immature leatherback Dermochelys coriacea and hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata turtles are lacking, as are studies on all species based in the Indian, South Pacific, and South Atlantic Oceans. Experts also perceived that studies in population ecology, namely on survivorship and demography, and habitat use/behavior, are needed to advance the state of knowledge on immature sea turtles. Our survey findings indicate the need for more inter-disciplinary research, collaborative efforts (e.g. data-sharing, joint field activities), and improved communication among researchers, funding bodies, stakeholders, and decision-makers.

Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Informing research priorities for immature sea turtles through expert elicitation
Series title	Endangered Species Research
DOI	10.3354/esr00916
Volume	37
Year Published	2018
Language	English
Publisher	Inter-Research
Contributing office(s)	Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Description	22 p.
First page	55
Last page	76
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page