Track Location
In radio telemetry, a tiny radio transmitter is attached to the turtle's shell and its movements are followed by radio receivers. Afterwards, scientists may watch the turtle's whereabouts in real-time or retrieve data from the transmitter to trace its trajectory over time. With this technique, we can follow turtles around with pinpoint accuracy, which sheds light on their habits and where they like to live.
Turtles may be "GPS tracked" by attaching tiny tracking devices to their shells and having them update their whereabouts at set intervals. These devices may be set up to remotely send data or data can be manually accessed and downloaded. Researchers are able to create precise maps of turtle home ranges, migratory patterns, and habitat utilization thanks to GPS monitoring, which offers reliable information on turtle movements.
In satellite tracking, a transmitter is fastened to the turtle's shell so it may communicate with satellites in orbit. Researchers on the ground get the turtle's position data from the satellites. When it comes to monitoring turtles, satellite technology really shines, especially when it comes to long distances or in locations too remote for conventional tracking systems to be viable.
Researchers in mark-recapture research take turtles from the wild, identify them using tags or microchips, and then release them again.
Later on, researchers may evaluate population dynamics by recapturing the turtles and following their travels. Survival rates, growth rates, and population sizes of turtles may be better understood via mark-recapture research.
Finding and documenting turtles in their native environments is the goal of visual surveys. This technique is often used to determine the number, distribution, and preferred habitats of turtles in a given region. In order to better understand local turtle populations and to locate critical habitat areas, visual surveys are a great tool to use.
To do environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, researchers must first collect samples of turtle habitats' water or soil and then analyze them for any signs of turtle DNA. There is no need to catch or otherwise disturb the turtles in order to get data on their abundance using this non-invasive technique. When trying to determine the distribution of uncommon or enigmatic species, eDNA sampling comes in quite handy.
The field of community science relies on citizen scientists to document turtle encounters and observations. Researchers may learn more about turtles' migrations across different ecosystems and throughout a wide geographic region if they get the public involved in collecting data. Additionally, community science programs have the potential to educate the public and encourage participation in turtle conservation initiatives.
