Association between nighttime artificial light pollution and sea turtle nest density along Florida coast: A geospatial study using VIIRS remote sensing data. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Zhiyong; Hu, Hongda; Huang, Yuxia
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 239(2018)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Light pollution -- Sea turtle -- VIIRS -- Spatial statistics -- Generalized linear model -- Eigenvectors spatial filtering -- Generalized estimating equations -- GIS -- Remote sensing; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.04.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Artificial lighting at night has becoming a new type of pollution posing an important anthropogenic environmental pressure on organisms. The objective of this research was to examine the potential association between nighttime artificial light pollution and nest densities of the three main sea turtle species along Florida beaches, including green turtles, loggerheads, and leatherbacks. Sea turtle survey data was obtained from the "Florida Statewide Nesting Beach Survey program". We used the new generation of satellite sensor "Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS)" (version 1 D/N Band) nighttime annual average radiance composite image data. We defined light pollution as artificial light brightness greater than 10% of the natural sky brightness above 45° of elevation (>1.14 × 10 −11 Wm −2 sr −1 ). We fitted a generalized linear model (GLM), a GLM with eigenvectors spatial filtering (GLM-ESF), and a generalized estimating equations (GEE) approach for each species to examine the potential correlation of nest density with light pollution. Our models are robust and reliable in terms of the ability to deal with data distribution and spatial autocorrelation (SA) issues violating model assumptions. All three models found that nest density is significantly negatively correlated with light pollution for each sea turtle species: the higher light pollution, the lower nest density. The two spatially extended models (GLM-ESF and GEE) show that light pollution influences nest density in a descending order from green turtles, to loggerheads, and then to leatherbacks. The research findings have an implication for sea turtle conservation policy and ordinance making. Near-coastal lights-out ordinances and other approaches to shield lights can protect sea turtles and their nests. The VIIRS DNB light data, having significant improvements over comparable data by its predecessor, the DMSP-OLS, shows promise for continued and improved research about ecological effects of artificial light pollution. Abstract : Nest densities of the three main sea turtle species (loggerheads, green turtles, and leatherbacks) along Florida beaches are negatively correlated with nighttime light pollution. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: VIIRS DNB light data and sea turtle survey data were linked. Significant negative correlation between light pollution and sea turtle nest density for all the three species. Light pollution affects green turtles, leatherbacks, and loggerheads in descending order.