Sea turtle sex determination depends on incubation temperature, and warming beaches are producing female-skewed hatchling populations with long-term population implications.
Extreme heat at nesting beaches kills embryos before hatching, representing direct welfare harm to developing turtles. Female-skewed populations may face reduced reproductive success as male availability becomes limiting. Beaches where temperatures exceed viable development ranges will effectively cease producing hatchlings. Targeted interventions including beach shading and beach nourishment can reduce temperatures and maintain hatchling survival.