Modeling Of Climate Change-Induced Coastal Erosion And Its Impact On The Nesting Areas Of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta Caretta): A Case Of Iztuzu Beach

Year 2025, Issue: 51, 123 - 132, 31.12.2025

Hasan Akpınar , Selahattin Akşit

https://doi.org/10.26650/JGEOG2025-1663902

https://izlik.org/JA63PB73GY

Abstract

The aim of this research is to model long-term (1984-2024) coastal changes in İztuzu Beach and determine the potential risks to the nesting areas of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Sea level rise is among the most important consequences of global climate change, which can cause coastal erosion and have negative effects on coastal ecosystems. Therefore, analyzing coastal change and creating future projections are essential for protecting the ecosystem. Landsat 5 TM and 8 OLI/TIRS satellite images of different years and modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI) image normalization techniques were used for coastal change analysis. For the analysis of shoreline changes, statistical analyses with 99% confidence interval, including net shoreline movement (NSM), end point rate (EPR) and linear regression rate (LRR), were carried out using the digital shoreline analysis system (DSAS). The results show that the coastline is continuously retreating and the beach is narrowing significantly. Future projections predict a retreat of 20 m or more on the beach in the next 20 years. This will lead to a gradual shrinkage of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting areas. Therefore, it is of great importance to closely monitor and analyze changes in the morphology of the beach. This research provides valuable information for the early detection of coastal changes and the development of protection measures.

Keywords

Climate change , Coastal erosion , Loggerhead sea turtles , Caretta caretta

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