科學家分析過去26年赤蠵龜的繁殖情況以及氣候資料，並將結果與未來氣溫的模型做比對後發現，以美國佛州海灘為主要繁殖地的赤蠵龜，氣候變遷對其生存造成相當大的影響。而未來預估上升的氣溫，將造成北美赤蠵龜以及其近親中雄性的數量減少。
孵化時的環境溫度對於幼龜的健康和性別扮演相當重要的角色，較溫暖的溫度會產出雌龜；相對的，較低的氣溫則是雄龜居多。即便氣溫僅升高攝氏1度，也會使得同一個海灘毫無雄龜的蹤跡；而升高3度的情況下，則會導致幼龜死亡率急遽升高且繁殖數量下降。
美國佛州出生的赤蠵龜數量佔全美90%，其中有90%為雌性；相對的，在北卡州則有42%為雄性。科學家相信因為這些雄龜往南移，才得以提升美國南部雄赤蠵龜的數量，但他們憂心未來會沒有足夠的雄龜來彌補佛州地區的短缺。去年科學家亦持續發現佛州海灘赤蠵龜出生數降低，自1989年到2005年已短少了22.3%。
Climate change is further imperiling loggerhead turtles that nest on Florida beaches, according to a new study by British researchers. The study warns that predicted temperature increases could decimate male North American loggerhead populations, with global ramifications for the species. The researchers analyzed 26 years of loggerhead turtle nesting and climate data and compared the findings with models for future temperatures.
Temperature during plays a major role in the health and sex of baby turtles, with warmer temperatures during incubation producing females and cooler conditions producing males. An increase of just one degree Celsius could completely eliminate the birth of male turtles from some beaches, the research team said, and a rise of three degrees Celsius would lead to extreme levels of infant mortality and declines in nesting beaches across the United States.
In Florida, which accounts for more than 90 percent of loggerhead nesting in the United States, 90 percent of hatchlings are female. By contrast, in North Carolina, 42 percent are male. Scientists believe some of these males currently travel south, bolstering southern populations, but fear there are not enough male turtles to overcome a further shortage in Florida beaches. Last year scientists found continued evidence of decline on Florida beaches, where nest counts have slumped 22.3 percent from 1989 to 2005.
作者
In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
