Literaire Studentenvereniging Flanor

Let op: deze activiteit zal in het Engels zijn.

Exploring the Past to Protect the Future: Sea Turtles and Historical Ecology
By Dr. Willemien de Kock

Sea turtles have been navigating the world's oceans for millions of years, but today they face growing challenges due to human activities and environmental change. To better understand what’s happening to these marine reptiles, we can look to the past for clues. By studying archaeological and museum specimens (what we call bioheritage collections), I can compare ancient sea turtle populations to those living today.

One way to do this is by analyzing the chemistry of archaeological sea turtle bones and shells to reconstruct their diets over time. Were sea turtles eating the same foods centuries ago, or have their foraging habits changed due to climate shifts or human impact? History also holds stories of how humans have interacted with sea turtles, sometimes in ways that put pressure on their populations. By examining old records, we can understand how hunting, trade, and other human activities affected their numbers. These insights may help set realistic environmental goals, using the past to inform the future.

This talk will explore the history of human-turtle interactions from a historical ecology viewpoint. By bringing together different lines of evidence, we can gain a richer understanding of sea turtles across the centuries. Looking at the longue durée offers a valuable perspective on how to protect these remarkable marine reptiles in a rapidly changing world.

 

Als je (nog) geen Flanorlid bent maar wel deze lezing wil bijwonen kan je een ticket halen via Usva: https://www.usva.nl/cursus-usva/usva-x-flanor-animal-encounters-2.

Foto door Leoni von Ristok.

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