Justin Sentian
Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
Title: Climate change and sea level rise impacts on turtle nesting vulnerability at Turtle Island Park, Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia
Biography
Biography: Justin Sentian
Abstract
Studies have shown that turtle’s life histories are sensitive to fluctuating environmental conditions, and therefore, there is a significant concern on turtle survival under the threat of climate change. It is indeed the case for turtle conservation at Turtle Island Park (TIP), Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia. The investigation of sea-level rise under climate change scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) on turtle nesting was carried out at TIP to assess the climate change vulnerability and potential risk on turtle nesting. In each climate scenario, the vulnerability of the turtle nesting in the three islands within TIP was evaluated based on several criteria such as the number of turtle landing, turtle nesting area, inundated nesting area, and the number of turtle species. The highest projected sea-level rise was 0.95 m under RCP8.5 at the end of the century, which has resulted in a total loss of nesting area of about 1.33 acres or about 15%. In both climate scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), sea-level rises were projected to increase, and Selingan Island, which is the largest island within TIP was found the most vulnerable due to climate change. Thus, the impending threat of sea-level rise to the future turtle nesting requires further assessment and evaluation of appropriate mitigation and adaptation strategy options in term of their effectiveness, technical feasibility, financial feasibility, and any associated risk to ensure turtle nesting sustainability.