An atlas of sea turtle nesting habitat for the Wider Caribbean Region

Abstract

The fundamental need to identify habitat necessary for the survival of the region’s sea turtles has long been recognized, yet the coastal zone remains one of the least protected environments in the region and unchecked shoreline development is a serious obstacle to sea turtle conservation in many areas. Emphasizing local partnerships and data-sharing opportunities enabled by the WIDECAST network, and taking advantage of modern spatial analysis methods, we have developed the region’s first digital landscape of sea turtle nesting beaches. The landscape and supporting databases identify, characterize and rank sites based on only the most up-to-date information, including an exhaustive literature search and nearly two years of intensive collaboration with more than 120 data providers in 43 nations and territories.