Long-term thermal conditions on the nesting beaches of green turtles on Ascension Island

摘要: On 2 of the major nesting beaches used by green turtles Chelonia mydas on Ascension Island, we measured sand temperature at nest depths throughout year. For both beaches, was strongly correlated (r ≥0.94) with air temperature. We therefore past records to reconstruct temperatures different season between 1985 and 1998. This analysis showed that inter-annual differences in were small and, while there consistent thermal changes during season, over 14 yr little overlap one being 2.6°C warmer, average, than other. work suggests inter-beach variation is mechanism which a range incubation are realised Island hence likely facilitate production hatchlings sexes.