1. Cyprus, Glasgow
University Ex-Soc
Expedition 2014-
2015
Cyprus Expedition
C/o Stewart White
School of Life Sciences
Graham Kerr Building
University of Glasgow
G12 8QQ
Email:
GUCyprusExpedition@gmail.com
Edited by Johnny Coyle and Jade McClelland
2. Table of Contents
Cyprus, Glasgow University Ex-Soc Expedition 2014-2015 ............................................0
Forward:....................................................................................................................................3
Introduction...............................................................................................................................4
The Turtlewatch Project .........................................................................................................5
Main Objectives of the Expedition ........................................................................................8
i) Marine Turtle Monitoring and Conservation.............................................................8
ii) Public Education...........................................................................................................9
iii) Wider Scientific Investigation............................................................................... 10
iv) Opportunities for the Expedition Team .............................................................. 10
Project Proposals for 2014-2015 ....................................................................................... 11
Turtle Conservation efforts: ............................................................................................ 11
Masters Level Projects .................................................................................................... 13
Investigating the effects of Coastal Defence Strategies on the distribution of
Posidonia oceanica beds and their associated benthic species diversity in
Limassol and Episkopi, Southern Cyprus. ............................................................... 13
A Baseline study of Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea distribution in Southern
Cypriot waters ............................................................................................................... 17
Marine turtle conservation in a military zone: potential benefits of hybrid
landscapes.................................................................................................................... 22
Team Members and Roles ................................................................................................. 26
Jade McClelland (Expedition Leader)...................................................................... 26
Johnny Coyle (Expedition Leader, Project Supervisor) ......................................... 26
Claire Morgen (Treasurer, Project Supervisor) ....................................................... 27
Suzanne McCarthy(Treasurer)................................................................................... 27
David Stevens (Publicity Convenor).......................................................................... 27
Mia Traivalkoski (Grant Secretary)............................................................................ 28
Nadia French (Project Supervisor) ............................................................................ 28
Logistical Considerations .................................................................................................... 29
Timing and Location......................................................................................................... 29
Accommodation................................................................................................................ 29
Transport ........................................................................................................................... 29
Transport to Cyprus: .................................................................................................... 29
Transport within Cyprus: ............................................................................................. 29
Safety Considerations ..................................................................................................... 29
Insurance ....................................................................................................................... 29
4. Forward:
The purpose of this document is to aid in the planning and organization of the
University of Glasgow, Exploration Society’s expedition to Cyprus, proposed for the
summer of 2015. In addition to introducing the members of the expedition, this
document will also outline the projects that we hope to undertake during the course
of the expedition. The expedition will be organized by members of the University of
Glasgow Exploration Society and will follow up on work conducted by the previous
expeditions to Cyprus as well as introducing a number of new projects in an attempt
to make the expedition more current and topical in light of contemporary literature
The expedition has the full support and approval of the Ministry of Defence
(MOD) Cyprus Wildlife Section and will be working in conjunction with RAF Akrotiri
and the Sovereign Base Area Environmental Department.
5. Introduction
The 2015 University of Glasgow Expedition to Cyprus will focus on conservation
efforts of marine turtles, particularly Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas, on the Akrotiri
peninsula within the confines of the Sovereign Base Administration Area (SBAA) and under
the auspices of Turtlewatch Akrotiri. These conservation efforts exist throughout the year
but with the bulk of nesting occurring in June and early July, the expedition will assist in the
provision of conservation with respect to this. The expedition also has 3 Masters level
students who intend to conduct research on elements of the surrounding marine habitats
and the perception of the conservation efforts. It is intended this research will add to the
existing body of published academic research
surrounding their respective topics
Marine turtles can be found in seas worldwide,
nesting on tropical and sub-tropical beaches. For
example, the Loggerhead turtle (C.caretta, Fig 1) and the
Green turtle (C.mydas) can be found nesting on beaches
in Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Libya and most recently, Italy.
The females of these species will always return, in the
evening, to their natal beach (that is the one on which
they were born) to lay their clutch of eggs. However, due to the increasing decline in the
population of marine turtles over the last century due to direct and indirect anthropogenic
perturbations and contemporary environmental stressors (climate change & natural
variations), fewer and fewer are returning to shore to lay their eggs. Both C. mydas and C.
caretta are classified as endangered by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation
of Nature and natural resources), meaning that they face a very high risk of extinction in the
near future. Human activities (fishing and pollution: chemical, light and noise) have been
found to deter nesting females from their natal beaches, resulting in them dumping their
eggs in shallow waters, or partaking in false crawls (when no eggs are laid). These human
pressures also have a detrimental effect on the hatchlings, confusing their sense of direction
resulting in many not making it to the sea. Given that these flagship species are on the
endangered species register and a vast majority of research exists on their activities in the
Fig. 1 A new hatchling makes its way from the
nest to the sea across an exposed section of
shoreline, (Fairwether 2013)
6. littoral zone on the sites of interest, interest must turn to other species within the
ecosystem in which they inhabit to determine the full extent of human activity on their
native habitat.
The developing young are also at great risk during the incubation time, where the
disturbance of nests by dogs, foxes and humans on the beaches of Cyprus can have
devastating effects, often resulting in the death of all of the offspring. Hatchlings that do
survive are subject to environmental threats, where predation by seagulls and foxes is highly
prevalent on the nesting beaches, making the journey to the sea hazardous one. Survival
rates at most sites are also adversely effected by contemporary anthropogenic climate
warming, which is placing growing stress on marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean as a
whole and altering vital ecosystem processes and encouraging the influx of non-native
species (Charybdis hellerii, Halophila stipulacea, Zentos et al, 2005). Increasing temperatures
are of particular concern to marine turtles, as their sex ratio is determined by the
temperatures experienced whilst incubating in the nest. Both species C.mydas and
C.caretta, have a pivotal temperature of 29º C, where conditions >29.5o C result in the
production of females and conditions <29.5º C result in the production of males. With the
contemporary threat of global warming the present patterns in Mediterranean ecosystems
are likely to change significantly, threatening species that occupy and rely on these
ecosystems for sustenance and reproduction
Fig. 2 A new hatchling Reaches the relative safety of the water,
(Fairwether 2013)
7. The Turtlewatch Project
Turtlewatch is a marine conservation project that was established in 1991 by the
Royal Air Force. The main turtle nesting beaches stretch along the coast of the Sovereign
Base Area. Students of the University of Glasgow have been working with Turtlewatch for
the last sixteen years, and this is the seventeenth year the expedition has been organised by
the Exploration Society of the University of Glasgow.
In previous years the expedition has published work in the academic journal Testudo
(Downey et al., 2003. & Rogers., 2011), highlighting the academic merits of prior
collaborations with Turtlewatch in previous years. These published works have mainly
focused on the conservation efforts of turtles and the relationship between the student
expedition and the efforts of Turtlewatch those in Akrotiri.
During the expedition the participants will be focusing on the scientific investigation
of current marine and coastal management practices that are currently being implemented
on the Akrotiri peninsula whilst continuing the on-going conservation and monitoring of the
turtle population within this area.
Glasgow University Exploration Society is planning a three month expedition to the
Akrotiri peninsula in Southern Cyprus during the summer of 2015. It is planned to run
between the end of May to early July, to coincide with the early summer laying and hatching
period. The team of seven will be on site (Fig 3) in Cyprus for 6-7 weeks.
The expedition has four main aims:
1. To carry out active conservation work on
the Mediterranean turtles nesting on the
beaches within the SBA, Southern Cyprus.
2. To raise awareness amongst local
Fig. 3: Map of Cyprus and the SBA. (Website 1)
8. inhabitants about the need to conserve marine turtles. This will be achieved by
running an information centre and organising public excavations. Throughout the
summer there will be a strong emphasis on keeping members of the public updated
on our activities.
3. To investigate circumstances surrounding the coastal environment and its
management in the area and produce valid scientific data for use in masters and
undergraduate level research projects.
4. To provide an opportunity for undergraduate students to experience fieldwork that
will be of benefit to them in their future careers
9. Main Objectives of the Expedition
i) MarineTurtleMonitoringand Conservation
There are 13 nesting beaches within the SBA, with four main nesting coves situated
on the Akrotiri peninsula. These are hotspots of turtle activity on the island, and have been
monitored for over the last 20 years, as have those located on the RAF base itself. This work
is carried out by students in association with the RAF as they are responsible for activity on
these beaches. The beaches are monitored most mornings between 6.30am and 12 noon,
for signs of turtle activity from the evening before, which will then recorded by both the
expedition leaders and the RAF Turtlewatch coordinator, this data will then be used later in
the season to estimate the hatching date of the nests. Loggerhead turtles begin their
nesting season at the end of May and continue until mid-August, whilst Green turtles begin
nesting at the start of June until the middle of August also. Due to the limited length of the
expedition this year in respect to other years
it will not be possible to continue this
monitoring to the definition that was
achieved in previous years although all
endeavours will be made to monitor these
nests when the team are on site and the data
obtained will represent a key dataset that is
necessary for the expedition
When a nest has been located, it will
be promptly covered with a mesh cage to reduce predation from foxes and dogs (Fig 4),
which inhabit the. Each nest will then be located and numbered by a sign, in both Greek and
English, which warns beach visitors of the presence of the nest. Once the nests have been
distinguished they will be monitored throughout their 7 week incubation period both by the
expedition team and Turtlewatch personnel. In Cyprus, green turtles have been noted to lay
up to 215 eggs and Loggerheads up to 165 eggs, however, the survival number of thee eggs
varies greatly; therefore several steps are taken to increase the numbers of hatchlings that
Fig. 4: A fox is sniffing around a nest site (Fairwether 2013)
10. survive and the long path to the sea. Whilst the expedition was involved with this
previously, time constraints prevent full involvement in this area of the Turtlewatch project.
ii) PublicEducation
Public education is a vital part of any
conservation project, and in previous years the
expedition has been successful in increasing
awareness and public participation in the
Turtlewatch project (Fig 5) . An effective way of
encouraging public participation with marine
turtles is to involve the public and wider
community in the nest excavations. Public nest excavations are carried out on the tenth
afternoon after the first natural hatchling emergence. During such excavations, the public
are informed of the need to conserve marine turtles, and the problems which they may face
during their life cycle. The public are also informed of the detrimental impacts humans can
have on the marine turtles populations. The aim of this is to provide a wealth of knowledge
in the surrounding area of the local turtle population and their needs and sensitivities.
As well as these public excavations, the expedition members also run a
shop/information centre on the RAF base on a daily basis, providing information on the
turtles and the projects which Turtlewatch carries out. This shop also sells merchandise to
help raise fund for the Turtlewatch Akrotiri project. Social events such as BBQ’s and beach
walks/presentations will also be organised by the team to raise local awareness and
encourage good relations with the local population so conservation can continue out-with
the expedition remit.
Our main conservation aim is to encourage people to respect their environment and
the animals which share it with us, in particular to promote the need to preserve nature and
to help protect the marine turtles. It is hoped that the work carried out by the students will
Fig. 5: A group from the 2012-13 expedition excavate
a nest for a public demonstration (Fairwether 2013)
11. inspire others to appreciate and care for their surroundings, and ultimately to encourage
them to volunteer on the beaches to help this endangered species.
iii) Wider ScientificInvestigation
In the past the expedition has been criticised for its lack of “Hard Hitting” scientific
research and its focus on conservation of the flagship turtle species present on the site. In
an attempt to address this, the 2014-2015 expedition will integrate larger scale marine and
coastline research and monitoring into the expedition that will further inform the existing
knowledge base of the area. These projects will involve the scientific sampling of the marine
environment in order to produce valid datasets that will lend themselves to interpretation.
This will be done with the aimof creating a fuller understanding of the processes that are at
play in the local marine environment potentially feeding into long term ecological and
morphologically sensitive planning agendas and inform decision making.
The expedition team have decided that at least 2 projects that fit these criteria will
be undertaken during the course of the expedition. At present however due to the relative
infancy of the expedition and communications issues with the teams in Cyprus these
projects are still in the early stages and a full, comprehensive plan of this research is at
present unavailable. As this area of the expedition progresses further and the aims of the
relative projects become more defined, interested parties will be informed. At present
however potential projects have been outlined and will be discussed later in this document
iv) Opportunities for the Expedition Team
This Expedition in its long history has provided an opportunity for students across all
years and degree groups to experience the practical aspects involved in the conservation of
marine turtles as well as constitute an opportunity to gather data for degree projects. The
work carried out both during pre-expedition fundraising and organising, and whilst in
Cyprus, will provide these students who are interested in conservation, zoology and marine
sciences with an invaluable skillset which can be carried forward, onto future careers.
12. Project Proposals for 2015
Our aims for Turtlewatch 2015 focus primarily on the conservation of the turtles but
also on the wider marine and coastal environment and the processes prevalent in these
systems with a view to establish a base of academic research informed by current scientific
knowledge to allow the continuation of academic research in future expeditions. As well as
focusing on three new projects, overseen by Masters students, the expedition team
propose that turtle conservation efforts carried out in the 2013-14 expedition, are
continued into the 2014-15 expedition. The details of these projects are as follows:
Turtle Conservation efforts:
The main concern of the project in previous years has been centred around the
conservation and monitoring of turtle conservation efforts in SBAA Akrotiri in South Cyprus.
Over the past 15 years the numbers of male and female turtles that visit and hatch on the
beach have been recorded and it is intended that this research is continued under the
auspices of the Glasgow Ex-Soc, Cyprus Expedition with the assistance of Turtlewatch
Akrotiri. Although the expedition is limited to the early summer and limited study of
hatchlings can be carried out the team involved feel the assistance that this dataset gives
local conservation is invaluable and the monitoring of adult nesting populations is to be
continued.
Previous expeditions and the Turtlewatch Akrotiri staff have outlined the role of fox
and dog predation on spoiling nests representing a significant loss to juvenile turtle
populations. In previous years this has been monitored and submitted in the form of an
undergraduate dissertation in 2013-2014, this will be continued in the contemporary
expedition with the amount of attempts of foxes and the success of each attempt recorded.
This will be done by identifying suspected attempts through sand tracks and also through
the use of motion sensed, night photography equipment. Where possible, attempts will also
be made to quarantine nest sites by digging in cages around the nest as a deterrent to
predation as done in previous expeditions.
It is intended that the datasets obtained from these conservation efforts (and
datasets from previous years) is used for one or more undergraduate dissertation projects
as there is scope for the implementation of experimental designs which can be used to
13. assess the most effective method of deterrent, or assess the long term effectiveness of this
method of management employing statistical methodologies, comparing the amount of
turtles that return to the beach before and after the use of this management prospective.
14. Masters Level Projects
Investigating the effects of Coastal Defence Strategies on the
distribution of Posidonia oceanica beds and their associated benthic species
diversity in Limassol and Episkopi, Southern Cyprus.
Overseen by: J. Coyle
Context
Posidonia oceanica is a sea grass species
endemic to the Mediterranean (Fig 1.1), it grows in
the shallow, nearshore environment between 0 and
47 meters depth (Ramos-Esplá, 2007). A wide ranging
body of scientific research has identified beds of this
seagrass species as an important nursery habitat for
larval invertebrates (Kalogirou et al., 2010) and also
as a vital nutrient source for endangered species in
Southern Cyprus (Chelonia mydas & Caretta caretta, Bjorndal, 1997, and Monachus
monchaus, Salman et al., 2001) as well as an important means of sediment accretion and
stabilisation (Bos et al., 2007). Consequently Posidonia beds have been named under the
Eurpean union’s Habitat Directive as a “Priority Natural Habitat Type” (EU, 2007) and so is
protected under European law under this legislation and also under the Water Framework
Directive. As a result of this legislatory cover, P.oceanica and its associated habitat has
come under intense scientific study. This research has focused mainly on the effects of
contemporary anthropogenic disturbance on the distribution of these beds finding that
high levels of sediment movement and the addition of phosphate and nitrates (associated
with fish farming, Holmer et al., 2008) cause an increase in shoot mortality decreasing
extent of beds, adversely affecting ecosystemhealth and biodiversity. It has been found
that sea grass productivity declines in areas of increased general disturbance (Ruiz &
Romero, 2003). P.oceanica then is a sensitive sea grass species that is vulnerable to
perturbations in natural variability and with global distributions decreasing as a result of
anthropogenic activity and increasing climatic variance (Holmer et al., 2008) it is important
to better understand the influences on the distribution of this species but also its
effectiveness as a nursery habitat and how this is affected by coastal developments.
Fig 1.1: a Dense P.oceanica bed situated on the
Portuguese Coast. (neustromar.com, 2014)
15. Shoreline management plans are employed to mitigate the retreat of coastlines.
These schemes do so by limiting incoming erosive energy and controlling sediment
transport systems. It is then predicted that these schemes will have a profound impact on
seagrass bed health and distribution (through the perturbation of sedimentation regimes,
Bos, et al., 2007, and nutrient availability). It is therefore likely that the presence or
absence of these constructions will have an impact on P.oceanica distribution and health.
Whilst a wealth of research exists concerning the use of seagrass species as a coastal
defence method, relatively little literature exists comparing the effect of “hard” defensive
strategies on the ecosystem health of Posidiona beds and given the importance of this
habitat in the larger Mediterranean ecosystem, a full understanding of the impact of
coastal hard engineering is necessary to feed into future planning and decision making
Aim of Study
The experimental aim of this project will be:
Assess the impact of coastal protection strategies utilised in Southern Cyprus on the
health and distribution of the priority natural habitat; Posidonia oceanica and its use
by marine organisms.
In order for this aimto be achieved it will be broken down into smaller hypothesis
that can be tested allowing an experimental understanding of the relationship between
coastal defence strategies (in particular “hard” shoreline planning) and P.oceanica growth.
Fig 1.2: Limissol (Cyprus) and Episkopi (UK) separated by the Akrotiri peninsula (Google Map 2014)
LimassolEpiskopi
16. Site Information
At present, shoreline retreat at Limassol and Episkopi (Fig 1.2) is threatening
significant built infrastructure and tourism assets (AP Marine Environmental, 2012) and as a
result the coastline around Limassol is heavily defended by a series of defences aimed at the
retention of sediment (Breakwaters and Groynes). With prevailing winds and associated
swell patterns predominately westerly (Powel, 2008) the less developed, Episkopi side of
the peninsula is exposed to moderate wave action, refracting along the coastline, sediment
is however retained by the occurrence of natural hard rock headlands so anthropogenic
shoreline management is minimal along this coast (apart from small site specific shoreline
armouring). These two contrasting sites were selected for study as Limassol demonstrates a
traditional, large scale, hard engineering method of protection whereas the Episkopi site
demonstrated the use of smaller scale management strategies (sea wall and semi-natural
breakwaters). Prior research has also identified the presence of P.Oceanica on both sites
(Episkopi: Marbà et al, 2006 and Limassol: Marba et al., 2008). Discrepancies in the
implementation of shoreline management strategies over a short geographic range will
allow the assessment of the impact of these constructions on the distribution and health of
Posidonia beds and subsequently on the health of ecosystems in general.
Implications of research
Given the importance of P.oceanica habitats status under the EU Habitats Directive
and its importance in nearshore Mediterranean marine ecosystems, as a nursery
environment and a sediment stabiliser, it is important to fully understand how human
activity can influence its distribution in order to facilitate sustainable habitat protection (as
required by the Water Framework Directive). Greater knowledge and understanding the
factors effecting the distribution of Posidiona beds will further facilitate informed decision
making process facilitating more effective and ecologically conscious shoreline management
as well as the potential mitigation of existing project impacts.
17. References:
AP MarineEnvironmental (2012). Hydrological Study & Further Studies to be incorporated in the Akrotiri
Peninsula Management Plan.[Availableonline22/12/2014:
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/257180317_FINAL_REPORT_June_2012_Hydrological_Study__Furth
er_Studies_to_be_incorporated_in_the_Akrotiri_Peninsula_Management_Plan_(Work_Order_1044844)/file/9
c96052498cc5df3b3.pdf
Bjorndal,K.A. (1997). Foragingecology and nutrition of sea turtles. In: Bjorndal,K.A., Lutz P.L & Musick J.A.
eds. The Biology of Sea Turtles, CRC Press,USA, 199-231.
Bos, A. R., Bouma, T. J., de Kort, G. L., & van Katwijk,M. M. (2007). Ecosystem engineering by annual intertidal
seagrass beds:sediment accretion and modification. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 74(1),344-348.
Holmer, M., Argyrou, M., Dalsgaard,T., Danovaro,R., Diaz-Almela,E., Duarte, C. M., ... & Tsapakis,M. (2008).
Effects of fish farmwaste on Posidonia oceanica meadows: Synthesis and provision of monitoringand
management tools. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 56(9), 1618-1629.
Kalogirou,S., Corsini‐Foka,M., Sioulas,A., Wennhage, H., & Pihl,L. (2010). Diversity,structureand function of
fish assemblages associated with Posidonia oceanica beds in an area of the eastern Mediterranean Sea and the
roleof non‐indigenous species. Journal of fish biology, 77(10), 2338-2357.
Marbà,N., Santiago,R., Díaz-Almela,E., Álvarez, E., & Duarte, C. M. (2006). Seagrass (Posidonia oceanica)
vertical growth as an early indicator of fish farm-derived stress.Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 67(3),
475-483.
Marbà,N Núria,M et al (2008) "Sedimentary iron inputs stimulateseagrass (Posidonia oceanica) population
growth in carbonatesediments." Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 76.3: 710-713.
Nuestromar (2014) La 'Posidoniaoceanica' está en regresión desde hace medio sigl o [Availableonline
22/12/2014 http://www.nuestromar.org/noticias/categorias/24-06-14/posidonia-oceanica-est-en-regresi-n-
hace-medio-siglo]
Powel, J. C. (2008).Application for safewater status-WSBA Sub-Aqua Club – RAF Akrotiri.RAF.mod.uk
[Availableonline21/12/2014:
http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafsubaqua/rafcms/mediafiles/B8C3D654_5056_A30A_09463CCA48B902AA.doc ]
Ramos-Esplá,A. A., Cebrián D. & Demetropoulos A,(2007) Integrated Coastal Area Management in Cyprus:
Biodiversty Concerns.UNEP
Ruiz, J. M., & Romero, J. (2003). Effects of disturbances caused by coastal constructionson spatial structure,
growth dynamics and photosynthesis of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Marine pollution bulletin, 46(12),
1523-1533.
Salman,A., Bilecenoglu,M., & Güçlüsoy,H. (2001). Stomach contents of two Mediterranean monk seals
(Monachus monachus) from the Aegean Sea, Turkey. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the
UK, 81(04),719-720.
18. A Baseline study of Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea
distribution in Southern Cypriot waters
Overseen by C. Mogren
Context
The Mediterranean Sea is a highly diverse region, often considered a biodiversity
hotspot. Though the sea makes up less than 0.3% of the total volume of the world oceans,
18% of all described species - between ten and twelve thousand species - can be found in
the Mediterranean, and up to 30% of those are unique to the region (Boudouresque &
Verlaque, 2005; Oceana, 2015). From the time the Mediterranean Sea was resurrected by
the breach of the Strait of Gibraltar between five and six million years ago until 1869, there
was only one connection between the Mediterranean Sea and any surrounding ocean (Loget
& Van Den Driessche, 2006). However, in 1869, the Suez Canal created a passageway
connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, leading to a massive influx of alien
species, which are called Lessepsian species when they have migrated through the Suez
Canal. The highly saline Bitter Lakes deterred migration for a period of time, but their
influence has since been diminished and organisms migrate freely to the Mediterranean in
ballast water and through fouling. According to Galil et al. (2014), half of the approximately
700 introduced species currently found in the Mediterranean originated from the Red
Sea. These non-indigenous species (NIS) not only create problems for commercial fishing
and tourism but also wreak havoc on the native populations. New competition and
introduced predators have significant effects on the Mediterranean ecosystem.
Suez Canal
Cy prus
Mediterranean Sea
Fig. 2.1: Location of the Suez Canal and Cyprus in the
Mediterranean Sea
(Adapted from European Parliament, 2012)
Fig. 2.2: Map of the Suez Canal
(The Guardian, 2014)
19. New Suez Canal
In August 2014, the Egyptian president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, announced plans for a New
Suez Canal, which will be overseen by Mohab Mamish, the chairman of the Suez Canal
Authority. This project, which is expected to last one year, will create a second lane as well
as widen and deepen parts of the existing canal, thereby reducing waiting times for
ships. The Suez Canal Authority (2015) states the following aims:
Increase two-way traffic portions of the Suez Canal to 50% of the total length
Shorten southbound transit time from 18 hours to 11 hours
Minimize waiting time to 3 hours, down from the current 8 to 11 hours
Attract more ships to use the Suez Canal
Increase the daily ship capacity from 49 ships to 97 ships by the year 2023
Enhance the Egyptian national economy by increasing revenues from $5.3 billion to
$13.2 billion by the year 2023
This project has been undertaken with no environmental review (Berwald, 2014; Galil et
al., 2014). Furthermore, the New Suez Canal is likely to have a significant effect on
biodiversity and ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea (Galil et al., 2014). The eastern basin
is more susceptible to Lessepsian invasions due to both geography and water
conditions. The warmer waters in the east are more hospitable for species from the Red
Sea, though as species adapt and sea temperatures rise, NIS are migrating to the northern
and western parts of the sea.
C. racemosavar.cylindracea
One NIS that has been referred to as an
“extremely invasive variety” (Galil et al., 2007) is
Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea (Figure 3), a
type of green algae (Piazzi et al., 2005; Zenetos et
al., 2005; Galil et al., 2007; Katsanevakis et al.,
2009). This species, native to southwestern
Australia, first arrived in the Mediterranean in 1990, and was first found off the Cypriot
coast in 1991, where it quickly replaced Posidonia oceanica as the dominant flora (Ibid.). C.
racemosa var. cylindracea is highly adaptable and resilient with little to no competition
Fig. 2.3: Cluster of C. racemosa var. cylindracea
(Aquaportail.com, 2015)
20. (Piazzi et al., 2005). The algae is found between 1 and 70 metres below the water surface
and can colonize on virtually every sublittoral surface except for unstable sands (Piazzi et al.,
2005; CABI, 2015).
Aim
The aim of this study will be to establish a baseline distribution of the invasive
species Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea in the southern Cypriot nearshore region.
The study will be carried out using visual sampling methods to determine the
percent cover of C. racemosa var. cylindracea.
Implications
Assessment of the current population of C. racemosa var. cylindracea will quantify
the spread since its introduction to Cypriot waters in 1991 and provide a baseline for future
comparison after the New Suez Canal is completed. The effects of the New Suez Canal on
the distribution of C. racemosa var. cylindracea are unknown, and a baseline study will allow
future distribution changes to be noted.
21. References:
Aquaportail.com (n.d.) Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea. [Image online] Available at:
http://www.aquaportail.com/fiche-algue-1335-caulerpa-racemosa-var-cylindracea.html. Last accessed
10 January 2015.
Berwald, J. (2014) Under the Ships in the Suez Canal. The New York Times. [Online] Available at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/opinion/under-the-ships-in-the-suez-canal.html?_r=0. Last
accessed 7 January 2015.
Boudouresque, C.F. & Verlaque, M. (2005) Nature conservation, Marine Protected Areas, sustainable
development and the flow of invasive species to the Mediterranean Sea. Sci. Rep. Port-Cros natl.
Park, Fr. Vol. 21. pp. 29-54.
CABI (2015) Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea. Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK:
CAB International. [Online] Available at: http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/107735 . Last accessed 8
January 2015.
European Parliament (n.d.) Mediterranea-sea. [Image online] Available at:
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Responses to Reduce Ballast Water Introductions of Potentially Invasive Species. Ocean
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Pollution Bulletin. Vol, 55. pp. 314-322.
Galil, B.S. et al. (2014) ‘Double trouble’: the expansion of the Suez Canal and marine bioinvasions in
the Mediterranean Sea. Biological Invasions.
Garcia-Berthou, E. et al. (2005) Introduction pathways and establishment rates of invasive aquatic
species in Europe. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Vol. 62. pp. 453-463.
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world/2014/aug/05/egypt-build-new-suez-canal. Last accessed 8 January 2015.
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Science. Vol. 10, No. 2. pp. 109-133.
Loget, N. & Van Den Driessche, J. (2006) On the origin of the Strait of Gibraltar. Sedimentary
Geology. Vol. 188-189. pp. 341-356.
Oakford, S. (2014) Egypt’s Expansion of the Suez Canal Could Ruin the Mediterranean Sea. Vice
News. [Online] Available at: https://news.vice.com/article/egypts-expansion-of-the-suez-canal-could-
ruin-the-mediterranean-sea. Last accessed 7 Jan 2015.
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Vol. 64. pp. 467-474.
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http://www.suezcanal.gov.eg/sc.aspx?show=69. Last accessed 7 January 2015.
22. Tsiamis, K. et al. (2014) Checklist of seaweeds of Cyprus (Mediterranean Sea). Botanica Marina. Vol.
57, No. 3. pp. 153-166.
Zenetos, A. et al. Annotated list of marine alien species in the Mediterranean with records of the worst
invasive species. Mediterranean Marine Science. Vol. 6, No. 2. pp 63-118.
23. Marine turtle conservation in a military zone: potential benefits of
hybrid landscapes.
Overseen by N. French
Anthropogenic changes present a threat to ecosystem functioning and biodiversity
loss. The wildlife is conventionally perceived in antagonism to the human society and hence
the areas normally inhabited by both take into account only human agency requirements
and preferences that are normally incongruent with animal interests and demands. Such
ethical predisposition could impede local and global animal conservation and protection
efforts.
American researchers (Leslie et al., 1996; Boice, 2009; Havlick, 2011) determined
that former military sites in America boasted higher biodiversity rate compared to nearby
areas of free public access, the same was observed on former military training sites in
Central Europe (Jentsch et al., 2009).
Military bases similarly to, say, exclusion zones (e.g. Chernobyl or the Demilitarized
Zone of the Korean peninsula with the same ecological benefits) are generally characterized
by heavily impacted core areas and large buffer zones protected from human disturbance
including recreational, commercial and residential development. Such phenomenon
challenges traditional notions of ‘pristine’, ‘degraded’, ‘artifactual’ or ‘natural’ environments
and called for a new interpretation of society-nature interactions (known as “hybrid
geographies” as coined by Whatmore (2002) or Murdoch’s ‘associationalism’). Military lands
generally have a limited public access even after demilitarization primarily due to safety
concerns.
Akrotiri military base and turtle conservation ground in Cyprus has qualities of
multiple categories, including that of ‘artifcatual’ and ‘natural’ landscapes, however no
analysis of such ‘collaboration’ has been conducted. In order to assess the beneficial factors
of military designation and seclusion, the site will be compared to another ‘control’
conservation area in the north of the island on several parameters including physical
conditions (artificial lighting, quality of nesting habitat), clutch sizes and hatch rates, level of
human and animal (canine) disturbance. The project will attempt to categorize the human
presence and interactions with the turtle nesting environment and the coastal area in
general through direct observation and interviews. Overall the project will provide
24. preliminary data and evaluation of contribution of the military landscape to the
conservation efforts undertaken by the Akrotiri RAF personnel and Glasgow university
students.
Concepts of ‘ecological militarization’ or ‘military environmentalism’ have been
promoted as urgency of endangered species protection increased and acquired
resemblance with military interference, but also as a direct participation of former or
existing military grounds in conservation efforts took shape (Woodward, 2001; Havlick,
2011). Ultimately, the project will examine the potential of active military-conservation
association to be adopted across the UK domestic and overseas military grounds.
25. References & Bibliography
Benton, N., D. Ripley,and F. Powledge. 2008. ConservingBiodiversity on Military Lands:AGuide for Natural
Resources Managers Arlington (VA) NatureServe.
Boice, L. P. 2006. Defence and conservation:Compatiblemissions.Endangered Species Bulletin 31:4–7
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the Department of Energy. Environmental Management, 26(5),pp.469-478.
Campbell,L. (2002). SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABLE USE: VIEWS OF MARINE TURTLE CONSERVATION
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Campbell,L. (2010). Studying Sea Turtle Conservation and Learning about the World:Insights fromSocial
Science. Conservat Soc, 8(1), p.1.
Carpenter, A. (2006). Conservation convention adoption provides limited conservation benefits: The
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Davis,F. (2013).The Case of the Green Turtle: An Uncensored History of a Conservation Icon.Environmental
History, 18(4),pp.832-833.
Dissanayake,S., Önal,H. and Westervelt, J. (2011). Optimum Selection of Conservation Reserves: Extensions to
MultipleLand Use. Military Oper Res, 16(1),pp.65-76.
Dryzek, J. (1997).The politics of the earth. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hajer, M. (1995). The politics of environmental discourse. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
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Geography. Geographical Review, 100(1),pp.74-89.
Jentsch, A., Friedrich,S., Steinlein,T., Beyschlag,W. and Nezadal, W. (2009). AssessingConservation Action for
Substitution of MissingDynamics on Former Military TrainingAreas in Central Europe.Restoration Ecology,
17(1), pp.107-116.
Kim, K. (1997). PreservingBiodiversity in Korea's Demilitarized Zone. Science, 278(5336),pp.242-243.
Lee Jenni, G., Nils Peterson, M., Cubbage, F. and Jameson, J. (2012). Assessingbiodiversity conservation
conflicton military installations. Biological Conservation, 153, pp.127-133.
Leslie, M., G. K. Meffe, J. L. Hardesty, and D. L. Adams. 1996.Conserving Biodiversity on Military Lands:A
Handbook for Natural ResourceManagers Arlington (VA) Nature Conservancy.
Murdoch, J. (1997).Towards a geography of heterogeneous associations. Progress in Human Geography, 21(3),
pp.321-337.
Pautasso,M. (2006).Scaledependence of the correlation between human population presence and vertebrate
and plantspecies richness. Ecology Letters, 10(1),pp.16-24.
Sanders,B. (2009). The green zone. Edinburgh: AK Press.
Stein, B., Scott, C. and Benton, N. (2008). Federal Lands and Endangered Species: The Role of Military and
Other Federal Lands in SustainingBiodiversity. BioScience, 58(4), p.339.
Urbanik,J. (2012). Placing animals. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.
Whatmore, S. (2002).Hybrid geographies. London: SAGE Publications.
26. Woodward, R. (2001).Khaki conservation:an examination of military environmentalistdiscourses in theBritish
Army. Journal of Rural Studies, 17(2),pp.201-217.
Zentelis, R. and Lindenmayer, D. (2014). Conservation:Manage military land for the environment. Nature,
516(7530),pp.170-170.
27. Team Members and Roles
Jade McClelland (Expedition Leader)
I’m Jade, a final year Zoology student at Glasgow and I will
be co-leading this expedition. For the past two years I have
been involved in expeditions to Tobago, once as a team
member and this past summer as a leader. For the Cyprus
2015 expedition, I am looking forward to taking my
knowledge of marine turtles from Tobago and using it to
work with turtle species I have not encountered before. I
am excited to expand the expedition and include more
diverse work in order to unlock previously unexplored
potential for this expedition and to do so with an
enthusiastic and diverse team.
Johnny Coyle (Expedition Leader, Project Supervisor)
I’m Johnny Coyle, an MSc student studying
Coastal System Management at Glasgow and I
am one of the leaders for this year’s
expedition. I have been at Glasgow for 5 years
now and this will be my first year with Ex-soc. I
have diverse experience in practical fieldwork
and the interpretation of data and it is
something I look forward to in this expedition. I
also have a lot of experience coaching and
working in recreational water-sports having set
up and run a sailing school since 2011, and
relish the challenge to partake in active
research in the expedition and help impart my
knowledge and skill set to others in the
expedition as well as learn from the varied
experience on the team. I have a long list of marine qualifications that will be of use in the
expedition including a valid 1st aid certificate and Dayskipper.
28. Claire Morgen (Treasurer, Project Supervisor)
I’m Claire and I did my undergraduate degree in
Earth, Society, and the Environment at the University of
Illinois, and I am currently studying Marine System
Science in Glasgow. I really love the ocean and the
challenges it presents. I am particularly interested in the
Mediterranean marine environment, so the Cyprus
Expedition is a great opportunity to complete the
research for my master's dissertation. The unique
qualities of the Mediterranean Sea make it highly
sensitive to climate change, and there are large numbers
of invasive species from both the Atlantic and the Red
Sea. Outside of my academics I enjoy riding horses,
hiking, rock climbing, and baking.
Suzanne McCarthy(Treasurer)
My name is Suzanne and I’m a third year
studying Marine and Freshwater Biology. This is my
first time taking part in an expedition and also my
first time going to Cyprus. I’m excited to put things
I’ve learnt in University into practice and get some
hands-on experience. It’s going to be a great
experience and one I’m sure I’ll never forget.
David Stevens (Publicity Convenor)
My name is David Stevens, I’m 20 years old and in my 3rd
year
of Zoology. This is my first expeditionand my first time to Cyprus,
and I am thrilled to be involved with the Expedition Society, doing
some important work in an excitinglocation. It will be a new
experience,with new people, and the challenge of putting everything
I’ve learned so far at university into practice, away from the relative
comfort of the university environment, will make for a rewarding and
memorable summer. This type of work could perhaps be a career for
me, and I am eager to get started!
29. Mia Traivalkoski (Grant Secretary)
I'm Miia, a 20-year-old Zoology student.
I was born and brought up in northern Finland,
where I was constantly surrounded by both
domestic animals and wildlife. That's probably
why I developed a huge interested towards
different kind of animals, and especially their
behaviour and conservation. I applied for the
Cyprus turtle expedition, as it sounded exactly
like something I'd always wanted to do – a
possibility of getting to know an amazing,
endangered species, and being able contribute
to their protection. I can't wait till next
summer!
Nadia French (Project Supervisor)
I’m Nadia and I'm studying MSc Environmental
science, technology and society and am planning to
start a PhD next year. My main areas of interest include
biodiversity management and conservation strategies
in the face of climate change and socioeconomic
development, exclusion areas as potential conservation
havens, and conservation as a socioecological practice. I
love animals, travelling, water sports and books!
30. Logistical Considerations
Timingand Location
The expedition will run for 6 weeks, with approximate dates being 29th May until the
10th of July 2015. The seven members of the expedition will work on the chosen projects
throughout the length of the expedition with the aim of members receiving different skills
from each project.
The majority of field work will be carried out within the Western Sovereign Base Area,
Southern Cyprus with the remaining carried .
Accommodation
In previous years the accommodation has been provided in the Temporary
Accommodation at RAF Akrotiri, about 7 kilometres from the turtles nesting beaches. This is
thought to be the same for summer 2015.
Transport
Transport to Cyprus:
Edinburgh International Airport to Paphos Airport by scheduled airline.
Or
London Gatwick Airport to Paphos Airport by scheduled airline
Transport within Cyprus:
A four-wheel drive vehicle will be available on loan to us from Welfare section of RAF
Akrtoir. They will however have priority use. It will be driven by fully licensed drivers. A
Suzuki four-wheel drive is also available as a second, emergency vehicle.
Safety Considerations
All potential health and safety risks have been considered. A full fieldwork safety risk
assessment has been carried out conforming to the standards set for all Glasgow University
School of life Sciences fieldwork. It is standard practice for all fieldwork to be carried out in
groups, and lone fieldwork is not permitted. All project leaders will complete fieldwork first
aid courses prior to commencing the expedition. Travel advice has been sought from the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fc.goc.uk. A brief of risk assessment is held in
this document and will be placed under review on a weekly basis.
Insurance
The Expedition with seek group insurance policies, specific to the intended research.
Insurance will be arranged before departure from the United Kingdom for Cyprus.
Expedition team members will be briefed on the scope and details of the insurance policy
31. and will be provided with individual copies of the policy. It will be mandatory for all
Expedition team members to carry all necessary documents and emergency numbers with
them at all times.
Expedition Advisers
-Dr. Stewart White, Liaison Officer for Turtlewatch since 2012 and a senior university
lecturer.
-Dr Anna McGreggor, University Teacher at the University of Glasgow and Accademic
adviser on projects
Although no members of staff from the University of Glasgow will be accompanying the
expedition, we will have the supervision of committed volunteers in Cyprus, including the
Turtlewatch co-ordinators Robert and Jane Ringer.
Collaborators inCyprus
Chief Tech. Robert Ringer (current officer in charge) and wife Jane Ringer, Turtlewatch
Akrotiri Co-ordinators. As coordinators of the SBAA Turtlewatch Akrotiri Group they are
responsible for:
Organising beach clearances prior to the commencement of the turtle-nesting
season.
Organising the upkeep of the signing and marking of the turtle breeding beaches.
Organising all nest excavations during the breeding season.
Supervising the student volunteers and briefing them on their responsibilities while
hosted at RAF Akrotiri.
Supervision of the Turtlewatch Information centre.
Liaison with Akrotiri’s Accommodation cell and Catering Squadron.
To advise local and international based environmental groups on WSBA Turtlewatch
activities.
Liaison with the students from the University of Glasgow during the off-season to
coordinate future volunteer teams.
Presentations on Turtlewatch activities to the local community.
Keep the OIC Turtlewatch up to date with current activities.
Act as first point of call for SBA Police in the rescuing and recovering of injured
turtles on SBA soil.
32. Financial Considerations
Costings
Travel
Return Flights, Glasgow-Paphos + Insurance (7x£400) £2,800
Fuel in Cyprus £1,000
Disposables
Food (at £6 per person/per day) £1,764
Administration and Report £100
Equipment (may vary depending on projects)
(Replacement nests, red-light torches, £1000
buckets, first aid kit, Cypriot simcards, camera traps etc)
Pre-Expedition Costs
(First-aid training, extra baggage allowance £100
for equipment, mail-shots etc)
Training
1st aid courses for team members (2x£100) £200
Total (less contingency) £6964
Contingency (10%) £800
Grand Total £7764
Funding
Contribution by members (£400 each) (7x£400) £2,800
Estimated fundraising by members £2,000
Remaining funds to be raised £2964
Bodies to be approached for funding include:
Glasgow Natural History Society, Gilchrist Educational Trust, University Court-The University
of Glasgow, The Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland and selective conservation
and animal welfare trusts and commercial organisations.
33. Health Implications
Given the healthcare status and the epidemiological development of the country of Cyprus the risk of disease and serious
health impacts does not vary much from the risks experienced in the UK. There still stands a risk of contraction of dangerous
diseases
Disease risk Precaution
Cholera Clean water will be available at the accommodation and bottled water can be purchased from local shops.
HIV/Aids Members will take the usual precautions, avoiding any contact with bodily fluids. They will ensure a clean
needle is used if an injection is needed.
Rabies Vaccination will not be mandatory but all expedition members will be informed about it. Doctors/emergency
services will be contacted in case someone gets a bite from an animal.
Typhoid Clean water will be available at centre and water purification tablets used whilst camping and travelling.
Typhus Areas of poor hygiene with insects and rodents will be avoided, and this disease can be cured with simple
antibiotics.
Disease from
Insect bites It is known that several insects in the area carry infectious diseases such as CCHF, dengue, leishmaniasis,
Lyme disease, onchocerciasis, trypanosomiasis and rickettsia. Therefore avoidance of bites is necessary and
insect repellent will be worn by all expedition members between the hours of dusk and dawn
34. Risk Assessments
The following are a set of general expedition risk assessments that will be followed when on site in Cyprus. These, whilst
general cover most operations that the expedition will be involved in whilst in Cyprus. For particularly hazardous activities, new risk
assessments will be carried out on site when the hazards become clear. During the expedition the risk assessments will also be
reviewed and edited on a weekly basis.
Operation Risk Individuals at Risk Safety procedures to control risk Overseen By who
Extreme
Weather
Dehydration
Sunstroke
Expedition members To avoid dehydration, each team member will
carry their own personal water supply (at least 1
litre
To avoid sunburn each member will be advised to
apply a high SPF sunscreen to prevent this. High
SPF suncream will also be carried in the medical
bag
Expedition leader
Individual expedition
members
Working at
night (beach
turtle
surveys)
Falling
Becoming
lost
Expedition members Head torches will be carried by all expedition
members (ideally with a red filter). These must be
used on all activities after sunset. Another torch/
spare batteries must also be carried
Work must be carried out in groups
All night work will be done according to the
recommendations of the SBAA and Turtlewatch
Akrotiri
Expedition leaders
Individual expedition
members
Boat Travel Death,
Loss
Sunstroke
Expedition members Only members of the expedition with appropriate
certification will be permitted to operate a
powerboat. Provisional training in powerboat &
radio operation (VHF short range) must also be
done with at least 1 other person on the boat
Spare Fuel must be carried and PFD worn by all
All Expedition members
35. members at all times
2 means of Communication must be carried whilst
on the boat
A plan of operation (waypoints and check-ins)
must be left with a responsible person ashore
Getting Lost Loss
Dehydration
Expedition members No expedition member is permitted to travel
alone.
Each group of the expedition must carry an
appropriate means of communication at all times
All Expedition members
Crime Loss of
possessions
Severe
Injury
Expedition members All expedition members will travel in groups of 2
or more and encouraged not to travel at night
(where avoidable
If an incident occurs all members will cooperate
fully with the instigators and report the incident to
the relevant authorities
All Expedition members
Road travel Road Traffic
Incident
Expedition members Vehicle operation only to be carried out by those
carrying a Full licence and over the age of 21
Seat belts will be worn by all members of the
expedition when in a vehicle
Vehicles used by the expedition will be
maintained by the Turtlewatch Akrotiri personnel
In the event that a vehicle is unavailable public
transport is to be used whenever possible.
When it is necessary to use taxi firms only
approved taxi services will be used to avoid any
altercations.
All Expedition members
The following are guidelines for the expedition operation. These are to be implemented when carrying out fieldwork and doing work
associated with the expedition. An expedition log will also be kept and completed at the start and the end of planned activities each
day.
36. All members of the expedition will have access to first aid equipment and trained personnel at all times whilst carrying out
research. Each group will have a member with an appropriate level of first aid qualification who is in charge of the first aid kit,
be aware of the nearest emergency services and carry their numbers. Larger medical kits will also be carried in any vehicles
used by the expedition.
No member of the expedition is permitted to travel on their own and each group is to let the expedition leaders be aware of
their presence at all times. This can be done by telephone or by letting the expedition leaders know of their intentions prior to
departure.
Where possible the expedition will seek shade during times of peek insolation (1200-1400) and wear clothing and footwear
appropriate to the task at all times.
In the event of severe adverse weather the expedition will seek shelter until such weather passes. A forecast will be obtained
prior to each day’s fieldwork.
37. General References/ Biblography:
Andrews, E., Dingwall., L (2014) Cyprus Turtle watch 2013-2014 prospectus. Unpublished resource
Delargy. A., Andrews, E (2013) Cyprus Turtlewatch Expedition 2013. Unpublished resource
Fairweather, K (2012) Cyprus Turtlewatch Expedition 2012: Expedition report. [Available online
01/12/2014: http://glasgowexsoc.org.uk/past-expeditions/ ]
Rushbook, P, (2014) University of Glasgow Cyprus expedition 2015. (Personal communication: Dr S.
White. 06/12/2014)
Groombridge, B. (1990). Marine turtles in the Mediterranean: distribution, population status,
conservation (No. 18-48). Council of Europe.
Downie J.R. Muir, H., Dinwoodie, M, McKinnon, L. Dodds, L., Cascarina, M (2003)., Turtlewatch: A
Collaboration between the Glasgow University and RAF Akrotiri to protect marine turtles in Cyprus,
Testudo, 5 (5), 14-21.
Rogers, S., (2011), Cyprus Turtlewatch 1999-2010 with emphasis on 2009 and 2012, Testudo 7 (3),
5-22.
BBC Worldwide, 2014., Map of Cyprus. Lonely Planet. [Available online 06/12/2012
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/europe/cyprus/ ]
Zenetos, A., Çinar, M. E., Pancucci-Papadopoulou, M. A., Harmelin, J. G., Furnari, G., Andaloro, F.,
& Zibrowius, H. (2005). Annotated list of marine alien species in the Mediterranean with records of the
worst invasive species.Mediterranean Marine Science, 6(2), 63-118.
