A new low-cost sensor designed to resemble a sea turtle egg enables scientists to monitor nests remotely and predict when hatchlings will emerge almost to the day—providing valuable information for conservation efforts and turtle nest management. Erin Clabough of the University of Virginia and Samuel Wantman of Nerds Without Borders led the research, which publishes on October 26 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
A new low-cost sensor designed to resemble a sea turtle egg enables scientists to monitor nests remotely and predict when hatchlings will emerge almost to the day—providing valuable information for conservation efforts and turtle nest management. Erin Clabough of the University of Virginia and Samuel Wantman of Nerds Without Borders led the research, which publishes on October 26 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
Sea turtle populations worldwide are in decline due to human activities, with Loggerhead, Green, Hawksbill, Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback and Olive Ridley sea turtles all listed as threatened species. Sea turtle conservation efforts largely focus on protecting vulnerable hatchlings once they emerge, to ensure they head out to sea, instead of toward the bright lights of towns.
