Profile
I have been studying sea turtles in the Chagos Archipelago since 2012, working closely with Professor Graeme Hays and Dr Jeanne Mortimer.
During 2012-2021, we satellite tracked 36 post-nesting green turtles (Chelonia mydas) using Fastloc – GPS telemetry and recorded a huge range in migrations, from 75 km within the MPA surrounding the Chagos Archipelago to >5000 km to distant foraging grounds on the east coast of Africa, including Mozambique, Kenya and Somalia. Our current work includes use of satellite telemetry and other technologies such as drones and loggers to increase our understanding of key nesting and foraging grounds for immature and adult stages of both green turtles and the critically endangered hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) in the Western Indian Ocean. We are also conducting long-term monitoring of sea turtle nesting and foraging populations in the Chagos Archipelago, including long-term records of sand temperature to assess likely sea turtle hatchling sex ratios and hatching success.
Our satellite tracking research in the Chagos Archipelago has led to incredible discoveries of extensive seagrass meadows on the Great Chagos Bank at unexpected depths of 25-30 metres – providing critical habitats for juvenile fish populations and foraging green turtles.
Biography
My Project
Other interests
Currently investigating the effects of macro- and microplastics on sea turtle incubation conditions using a range of field and controlled laboratory conditions. This research is funded by DEFRA Darwin Plus project (2019-2022): Reducing the impacts of plastic on the Chagos Archipelago natural environment.
My Publications
Nest Site Selection in Sea Turtles Shows Consistencies Across the Globe in the Face of Climate Change
Stokes, H.J., Esteban, N., Hays, G.C. (2024). Nest site selection in sea turtles shows consistencies across the globe in the face of climate change. Animal Behaviour.
Individual Variation in Home-Range Across an Ocean Basin and Links to Habitat Quality and Management
Hays, G.C., Rattray, A., Shimada, T., Esteban, N. (2024). Individual variation in home-range across an ocean basin and links to habitat quality and management. Journal of Applied Ecology.
Predation of Sea Turtle Eggs by Rats and Crabs
Stokes, H.J., Esteban, N., Hays, G.C. (2023). Predation of sea turtle eggs by rats and crabs. Marine Biology.
Synergistic Use of UAV Surveys, Satellite Tracking Data and Mark-Recapture to Estimate Abundance of Elusive Species
Stokes, H.J., Mortimer, J.A., Laloë, J.-O., Hays, G.C., Esteban, N. (2023). Synergistic use of UAV surveys, satellite tracking data and mark-recapture to estimate abundance of elusive species. Ecosphere.
Long-Term Changes in Adult Size of Green Turtles at Aldabra Atoll Across 35 Years and Implications for Clutch Size, Sexual Dimorphism and Growth Rates
Mortimer, J.A., Appoo, J., Bautil, B., Betts, M., Burt, A.J., Chapman, R., Currie, J.C., Doak, N., Esteban, N., Liljevik, A., Mahoune, J.T., Onezia, C., Pistorius, P., Richards, H., Samedi, U., Sanchez, C.L., Seabrook, W., Underwood, A., van de Crommenacker, J., von Brandis, R., Hays, G., (2023). Long-term changes in adult size of green turtles at Aldabra Atoll across 35 years and implications for clutch size, sexual dimorphism and growth rates. Marine Biology.
