Resilient Eggs: Highly Successful Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting Sites Vary in Their Characteristics

Sea turtle nest success, defined as the number of eggs in a that successfully hatch and emerge, is closely linked to environmental conditions. Interacting biotic abiotic factors influence hatching hatchling emergence success. To date, combinations multiple interacting together, which result highly successful sea nests are not well understood. Using 25 years historic data local expert experience, we identified five historically loggerhead ( Caretta caretta ) nesting beaches (hotspots) along Florida (United States) Atlantic coast measured environments with Principal component analysis was used reduce 12 variables so relative contributions sand characteristics, temperatures, moisture, location were considered. The differed among broadly segregated into two distinct climates: subtropical (hot humid) warm-temperate (warm dry). We found at sites, compared characterized by gradients contrasting ways. Nest locations predominantly mid-beach sites but clustered higher elevations closer base dune climate sites. Collectively, hotspots represent mosaic providing conditions promote emergence. This new perspective on consistently beach traits demonstrate key habitat vary prevailing type should be managed accordingly.