Network analysis of sea turtle movements and connectivity: A tool for conservation prioritization
Authors: Kot Connie Y. , Åkesson Susanne , Alfaro‐Shigueto Joanna , Amorocho Llanos Diego Fernando , Antonopoulou Marina , Balazs George H. , Baverstock Warren R. , Blumenthal Janice M. , Broderick Annette C. , Bruno Ignacio , Canbolat Ali Fuat , Casale Paolo , Cejudo Daniel , Coyne Michael S. , Curtice Corrie , DeLand Sarah , DiMatteo Andrew , Dodge Kara , Dunn Daniel C. , Esteban Nicole , Formia Angela , Fuentes Mariana M. P. B. , Fujioka Ei , Garnier Julie , Godfrey Matthew H. , Godley Brendan J. , González Carman Victoria , Harrison Autumn‐Lynn , Hart Catherine E. , Hawkes Lucy A. , Hays Graeme C. , Hill Nicholas , Hochscheid Sandra , Kaska Yakup , Levy Yaniv , Ley‐Quiñónez César P. , Lockhart Gwen G. , López‐Mendilaharsu Milagros , Luschi Paolo , Mangel Jeffrey C. , Margaritoulis Dimitris , Maxwell Sara M. , McClellan Catherine M. , Metcalfe Kristian , Mingozzi Antonio , Moncada Felix G. , Nichols Wallace J. , Parker Denise M. , Patel Samir H. , Pilcher Nicolas J. , Poulin Sarah , Read Andrew J. , Rees ALan F. , Robinson David P. , Robinson Nathan J. , Sandoval‐Lugo Alejandra G. , Schofield Gail , Seminoff Jeffrey A. , Seney Erin E. , Snape Robin T. E. , Sözbilen Doğan , Tomás Jesús , Varo‐Cruz Nuria , Wallace Bryan P. , Wildermann Natalie E. , Witt Matthew J. , Zavala‐Norzagaray Alan A. , Halpin Patrick N. 
Published: February 2022

Aim

Understanding the spatial ecology of animal movements is a critical element in conserving long‐lived, highly mobile marine species. Analyzing networks developed from movements of six sea turtle species reveals marine connectivity and can help prioritize conservation efforts.

Location

Global.

Methods

We collated telemetry data from 1235 individuals and reviewed the literature to determine our dataset's representativeness. We used the telemetry data to develop spatial networks at different scales to examine areas, connections, and their geographic arrangement. We used graph theory metrics to compare networks across regions and species and to identify the role of important areas and connections.

Results

Relevant literature and citations for data used in this study had very little overlap. Network analysis showed that sampling effort influenced network structure, and the arrangement of areas and connections for most networks was complex. However, important areas and connections identified by graph theory metrics can be different than areas of high data density. For the global network, marine regions in the Mediterranean had high closeness, while links with high betweenness among marine regions in the South Atlantic were critical for maintaining connectivity. Comparisons among species‐specific networks showed that functional connectivity was related to movement ecology, resulting in networks composed of different areas and links.

Main conclusions

Network analysis identified the structure and functional connectivity of the sea turtles in our sample at multiple scales. These network characteristics could help guide the coordination of management strategies for wide‐ranging animals throughout their geographic extent. Most networks had complex structures that can contribute to greater robustness but may be more difficult to manage changes when compared to simpler forms. Area‐based conservation measures would benefit sea turtle populations when directed toward areas with high closeness dominating network function. Promoting seascape connectivity of links with high betweenness would decrease network vulnerability.