Geomorphological management strategies for cyclone-impacted sea turtle nesting habitat along the eastern seaboard of India

Abstract

Sea turtles are globally vulnerable due to climate change uncertainties and anthropogenic threats. The present study highlights the impacts of a very severe tropical cyclone (VSCS) on a potential sea turtle rookery and suggests management strategy for protection and conservation of rookery habitat under changing spit geomorphology. The results show that VSCS has short-term impact on rookery and spit geomorphology, while long-term precarious impact over the coastal sedimentology due to debris pollution. Study on geomorphology, sedimentology, and debris pollution indicates that plastic pollution and change in sediment characteristics are the most probable cause for failure of arribada events during post-cyclone year. Further, study identified that reduced estuary mouth and elongation of sand spit are the potential cause for coastal flooding and loss of nesting habitat. Therefore, locational stability of estuary cross-section under varying dimension of inlet channel and width are estimated for better management of uncertainties arises from the extreme events. Results of stability analysis show that observed cross Sect. (207-1728 m²) is often fall within unstable regimes compared to the estimated equilibrium cross-sectional area (790-1085 m²) under natural estuary condition. Considering the severity of long-shore transport and fast migration of sand spit, study further recommends cross-sectional area of magnitude (951-965 m²) is highly essential while inlet channel oscillates between 3500 and 7500 m. Similarly, for siltation issues, cross-sectional area (769-969 m²) is highly required for the varying dimension of estuary widths (50-600 m). In addition, involvement of local community in cleaning coast following cyclonic storm could be best approach instead of mechanical way to unalter the rookery sedimentology. This comprehensive approach addresses immediate cyclone-induced threats while promoting the long-term sustainability of sea turtle nesting habitats, offering actionable management recommendations for maintaining estuary stability and preserving critical nesting environments in face of increasing coastal disasters.

Keywords: Cyclone impact; Environmental management; Inlet stability; Nesting failure; Rookery protection; Sea turtles.