Date of Award

Fall 12-12-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Department

Marine Science

College

College of Science

First Advisor

Eric Rosch

Abstract/Description

Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) rely on sandy beach habitats for successful reproduction, yet nesting success is strongly influenced by physical beach features. This study examines the impact of beach morphology on nest survivorship across six nesting beaches in Horry and Georgetown counties, South Carolina. Three key hypotheses were tested: (1) nests placed at higher elevations exhibit greater survivorship, (2) nests located further from the recent high tide line experience higher survivorship, and (3) overall beach morphology influences nesting behavior and outcomes. Beach morphology variables—including elevation, slope, and nest-to-water distances—were measured at individual nest sites, while survivorship data were quantified using hatching success percentages. Results indicate no significant negative relationship between nest elevation and hatching success, with nests at lower elevation showing higher survivorship. In addition, nests situated closer to the high tide line exhibited greater hatching success. Together, these patterns suggest that loggerhead nesting behavior and subsequent hatchling survival are strongly influenced by beach morphology, as females appear to respond to features such as slope, dune height, and shoreline distance when selecting nest sites. These findings highlight the critical role of beach morphology in shaping reproductive outcomes for loggerhead sea turtles and suggest that conservation strategies should incorporate elevation and shoreline proximity when evaluating nesting habitat quality.

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