Elizabethtown College Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science, David Bowne recently published a scientific article, “Climate and sex in turtles,” in the Global Change Biology journal.
The article is in response to an essay published by Global Change Biology this year, “Is the future female for turtles? Climate change and wetland configuration predict sex ratios of a freshwater species” written by Roberts et al. As an expert in turtle ecology, Bowne was invited to write commentary on the publication.
“In my commentary, I explain how turtles are already among the most imperiled vertebrate taxa across the globe (over 40% of species are globally threatened) and how they may be at an even greater risk due to climate change because of their unusual biology,” Bowne said.
The article discusses the detrimental effects of climate change for the turtle population, specifically in southern climates. Bowne goes on to suggest that because turtles’ sex is dictated by temperature, warming temperatures further endanger their ability to sustain regular ecological patterns.
“As higher incubation temperatures produce more female turtles, a warmer world may make male turtles scarce,” Bowne said. “Already threatened, turtles are thus facing another threat.”
Additionally, the article comments on the importance of the Roberts et al. essay, as it raises awareness for conservation efforts of the spotted turtle, an extremely rare and globally endangered species.
Global Change Biology exists to promote new understanding of the interface between biological systems and all aspects of environmental change that affects a substantial part of the globe. The journal publishes primary research articles, technical advances, research reviews, commentaries and letters.
