Coastal Landscape Analysis of Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches: A Case Study in Japan

Sea turtles land, spawn, and hatch on sandy beaches. Changes in coastal landscapes may affect the turtle’s behaviors. Sea turtle landing and spawning records in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, analyzed along with beach profile and shoreline data over six years. The goal was to identify preferred locations for spawning and understand the impact of changes in sandy beaches on sea turtle behavior. To explain their preference, the Exhaustion Index (EI) is proposed which can help guide engineering efforts toward promoting the sustainability of sandy beaches.