摘要
本年度母龜生殖生態調查自2023年2月至10月止，共紀錄到1隻產卵母龜，總計產下7個卵窩。這7窩的產卵週期（產卵間隔天數）最高為18天，最低為12天，其天數的遞減與氣溫呈現負相關，溫度變化可能導致產卵時間間隔的改變。
計畫調查期間共挖掘6窩。平均孵化天數為63.6天、平均孵化率為83%、平均卵數為93顆、平均卵窩深度為63.2cm。卵窩N.1、N.2、N.5、N.6因發現母龜時，已進行覆沙，故無投放溫度計，N.5則因溫度計設備故障，無收取到溫度資料，僅N.3、N.4、N.7有卵窩溫度數據。經統計分析N.4的孵化溫度顯著低於N.3及N.7，其最大的可能原因為N.4的卵窩深度最深，可達71.1cm，相對不易受到陽光直射，也較不容易因卵孵化時產生的代謝熱與卵窩間形成熱循環。
另外將孵化溫度之數據，使用King, R. et. al.於2013年導出的公式進行計算，發現N.3、N.4、N.7這三窩孵化出雌性稚龜的機率為100%，但N.4，孵化後死亡的稚龜進行性別切片辨識，仍發現有雄性稚龜，可見公式還是有所偏差性。另活體稚龜經過背甲長、曲線長及體重的測量後發現，N.2孵化的稚龜型態顯著較N.1 與N.7還來得大，此可能與孵化溫度及沙灘環境因子有關。
關於卵窩孵化，共計成功孵化459隻稚龜，其中25隻死亡稚龜(包含終止發育者)，活體稚龜共61隻，經本次共收集的死亡稚龜，除9隻無法鑑定個體，其餘16個檢體中，雌性比例較高(87.5%)，為14隻；雄性為2隻。
綠蠵龜（Chelonia mydas）是我國海洋保育類野生動物，在臺灣主要的產卵地為澎湖、蘭嶼、小琉球及南沙群島的太平島。覓食地則遍佈全臺周圍海域，其中又以小琉球與太平島的綠蠵龜覓食族群數量最多。但小琉球不僅是海龜覓食棲地，亦是臺灣綠蠵龜穩定產卵棲地之一。故了解小琉球綠蠵龜棲地利用狀況，對於未來棲地管理有極大效用。
本計畫共進行1月至12月每月一次空拍調查調查底，結果顯示，沿岸海龜平均數量為637隻次；拍攝單次海龜數量最高為11月，共981隻次，數量最低為5月334隻次。沿岸綠蠵龜熱點為『肚仔坪沿岸』，1至12月平均147隻，每公頃約36隻次；其次為『龜仔路腳→漁福漁港』，1至12月平均110隻次，每公頃約43隻次；海龜數量最少之區域為『中澳→花瓶岩』1月至12月平均7隻次，每公頃約2隻次。『龜仔路腳→漁福漁港』及『肚仔坪沿岸』大部分沿岸地形為水深及腰的平緩淺灘，此類型區域海龜分布較多其原因可能有三，1)覓食耗能較低，2)複合性海藻、海草適口性佳，3)此區域海水溫度較高，但以上推測皆須經後續科學性調查驗證。
本團隊於5月至8月共辦理４場次街頭開講，10場次預約制解說，總計參與人數共344人。在小琉球針對綠蠵龜進行保育是勢在必行，由本團隊的調查結果，經過轉化，透過環境教育的方式提供給在地學生、居民或遊客，讓民眾對於海洋環境的危機有所覺知，另外調查結果也可用來規劃出適合在地文化又可兼具海龜保育的策略。
 

Abstract
This year's green turtle reproductive ecological survey was conducted from February to October 2023. During this period, a total of 1 nesting green turtle was recorded, resulting in 7 nests. The nesting intervals across these 7 nests ranged from a maximum of 18 days to a minimum of 12 days, exhibiting a negative correlation between the interval days and temperature changes, suggesting that temperature fluctuations might influence nesting intervals.
Six nests were excavated during the study. The average incubation period was 63.6 days, with an average hatching success rate of 83%. The average clutch size was 93 eggs, and the average nest depth was 63.2cm. Nests N.1, N.2, N.5, and N.6 had the sand already covered when the green turtle was found, preventing temperature measurement. N.5 lacked temperature data due to equipment failure. Among N.3, N.4, and N.7, statistical analysis revealed that N.4 had significantly lower incubation temperatures than N.3 and N.7. This discrepancy could be attributed to the deeper depth of N.4, reaching 71.1cm, which limited direct sunlight exposure and the potential heat generated from metabolic activity during incubation, preventing the formation of heat cycles within the nest.
Furthermore, the incubation temperatures were calculated using the formula derived by King, R. et al. in 2013. According to this formula, the probability of female hatchlings was 100% for three nests. However, despite this prediction, male hatchlings were found in N.4 upon sex determination through hatchling dissection, indicating a deviation in the accuracy of the formula. Additionally, morphometric measurements of hatchlings revealed that those from N.2 exhibited significantly larger sizes compared to N.1 and N.7. This variation might be associated with incubation temperatures and beach environmental factors.
Regarding hatchlings, a total of 459 turtles successfully hatched, with 25 reported deaths (including development terminations). Among the collected deceased hatchlings, 16 samples were identifiable, with a higher proportion of females (87.5%) comprising 14 individuals, while males accounted for 2 individuals.
The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is a protected marine species in our country. Main nesting sites in Taiwan include Penghu, Orchid Island, Xiao Liuqiu, and Taiping Island. Feeding grounds span the surrounding seas of Taiwan, with Xiao Liuqiu and Taiping Island hosting substantial green sea turtle populations, serving as stable nesting grounds. Understanding the utilization of these areas by green sea turtles in Xiao Liuqiu is crucial for future habitat management.
Twelve aerial surveys were conducted from January to December, revealing an average coastal turtle count of 637 sightings per survey. The highest count occurred in November with 981 sightings, while the lowest was in May with 334 sightings. The coastal hotspot for green sea turtles was identified as " Duzaiping," averaging 147 sightings per survey and approximately 36 sightings per hectare. The next notable area was "Guizai Road to Yufu Fishing Port," averaging 110 sightings per survey and around 43 sightings per hectare. The region with the fewest sightings was " Zhongao Beach to Vase Rock," averaging 7 sightings per survey and approximately 2 sightings per hectare. The areas "Guizai Road to Yufu Fishing Port" and " Duzaiping " primarily feature gently sloping shallow beaches, potentially attracting more turtles due to lower energy consumption for feeding, better suitability of complex seaweed and seagrass, and higher water temperatures. However, these assumptions require scientific validation.
From May to August, the team organized four street lectures and ten scheduled interpretive sessions, with a total participation of 344 individuals on Xiao Liuqiu. Given the necessity of conservation efforts for green sea turtles, the team aims to disseminate diverse research findings through environmental education among local students, residents, and tourists. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the critical state of.