Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 12

TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Dermochelys coriacea
Leatherback turtle Tortue luth
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
Extent and Area information  
  ·      extent of occurrence (km²) large
  ·       specify trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) decline
  ·       are there extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence (> 1 order of magnitude)? no
  ·      area of occupancy (km²) large
  ·       specify trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) unknown
  ·       are there extreme fluctuations in area of occupancy (> 1 order magnitude)? no
  ·      number of extant locations -
  ·       specify trend in # locations (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) unknown
  ·       are there extreme fluctuations in # locations (>1 order of magnitude)? no
  ·      habitat trend:  specify declining, stable, increasing or unknown trend in area, extent or quality of habitat declining
Population information  
·      generation time (average age of parents in the population) (indicate years, months, days, etc.) <30 years
·      number of mature individuals (capable of reproduction) in the Canadian population (or, specify a range of plausible values) unknown
·      total population trend:  specify declining, stable, increasing or unknown trend in number of mature individuals declining
·      if decline, % decline over the last/next 10 years or 3 generations, whichever is greater (or specify if for shorter time period) >70%
·      are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals (> 1 order of magnitude)? no
·      is the total population severely fragmented (most individuals found within small and relatively isolated (geographically or otherwise) populations between which there is little exchange, i.e., < 1 successful migrant / year)? n/a
·      list each population and the number of mature individuals in each n/a
·      specify trend in number of populations (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) n/a
·      are there extreme fluctuations in number of populations (>1 order of magnitude)? no
Threats (actual or imminent threats to populations or habitats)

-loss of habitat

-pollution (e.g. pesticides)

-urban or agricultural development

Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source)  
·      does species exist elsewhere (in Canada or outside)? yes
·       status of the outside population(s)? declining
·       is immigration known or possible? yes
·       would immigrants be adapted to survive here? yes, but not breed
·       is there sufficient habitat for immigrants here? yes
Quantitative Analysis  

Ron Brooks, March 2001

Page details

Date modified: