Coastal erosion led to the loss of more than 70 per cent of the shoreline at Almond Beach in Guyana’s Shell Beach Protected Area between 2016 and 2024, according to data reported in the Interdisciplinary Environmental Review. This loss has reduced sea turtle nesting habitat and increased the need to relocate eggs, the research has found.
Almond Beach forms part of the 120-kilometre Shell Beach coastline in north-western Guyana, a protected area providing nesting grounds for four sea turtle species: leatherback, green, hawksbill, and Olive Ridley. Females come ashore to lay eggs between March and August.
The researchers used high-resolution satellite imagery, geographical information systems (GIS) and expert interviews to assess shoreline changes. They identified the eastern section of Almond Beach as being worst affected, with erosion intensifying between 2021 and 2024, alongside increased nest losses.
Coastal erosion is the gradual wearing away of a shoreline by the wind and waves but also by human activity. Moreover, its effects are being exacerbated by climate change, construction work, and sand extraction. The researchers suggest that this is threatening habitats and reducing suitable sites for turtles to lay eggs.
The work has implications elsewhere because sea turtles migrate across international waters and depend on suitable nesting beaches to sustain their populations. The team suggests that conservation work should involve coastal mangrove restoration, dune stabilisation, and targeted sand replenishment. This could be complemented by improved satellite monitoring and community involvement to strengthen coastal resilience and allow nesting habitats to be better protected.
Machado, E. and Kalicharan, L. (2026) ‘An assessment of coastal erosion patterns and impacts on sea turtle nesting sites at Almond Beach, Shell Beach, in Guyana’, Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp.345–374.
News media may use this press release as source material, in whole or in part, provided the content is not materially misrepresented. A link back to the original article is appreciated.
No comments:
Post a Comment