Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies (한국지리정보학회지)

The Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies (한국지리정보학회)
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An Exploratory Analysis of Migratory and Diving Behaviors in Green Turtles(Chelonia mydas) Using Satellite Tracking

위성 추적을 이용한 푸른바다거북(Chelonia mydas)의 이동 및 잠수 행동에 대한 탐색적 분석

  • Roh, Yoo-Rim (Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology) ;
  • Noh, Hee-Jin (Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology) ;
  • Hong, Sang Hee (Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology) ;
  • Kim, Taehoon (Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology)
  • Received : 2026.01.28
  • Accepted : 2026.03.16
  • Published : 2026.03.31
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Abstract

A comprehensive understanding of the spatial utilization of long-distance migratory sea turtles is essential for effective conservation and management. However, most previous studies have focused on tracking movement based on location, and analyses of how diving behavior relates to environmental conditions are limited. Here, we used Argos satellite-tracking data from two green turtles (Chelonia mydas; PTT 250368 and PTT 266315) released near Yeosu, South Korea. Our objective was to compare migratory routes and diving behavior, as well as to examine relationships among sea surface temperature, movement speed, and space use. Although both individuals migrated abroad, they showed differences between individuals in characteristics such as average travel speed (2.49, 3.45 km/h) and final destination. Although surface-associated activity dominated during migration, PTT 266315 tended to use shallower depths than PTT 250368. In addition, PTT 266315 showed a significant negative relationship between SST and movement speed, indicating slower movement at higher temperatures. Hotspot regions along the migration route showed a ~3 % higher time-normalized dive rate (Square+U+V) than non-hotspot segments, and a decrease in path straightness. These patterns suggest that hotspots function as key areas for foraging-related search. By integrating movement trajectories, diving behavior, environmental conditions, and kernel density estimates, our study highlights dive patterns and potential search areas during migration. While these results advance understanding of core habitat use and provide a baseline for climate-change-responsive marine conservation and management, future studies incorporating additional individuals and a broader suite of environmental variables(e.g., currents and salinity) are needed to characterize spatial utilization patterns more robustly.

장거리 이동성을 보이는 바다거북의 공간 이용 특성은 종 보전과 관리를 위한 핵심 정보를 제공한다. 그러나 기존 연구는 주로 위치자료 기반의 경로 추적에 집중되어 잠수 행동과 환경 요인을 결합한 시·공간적 통합 분석은 상대적으로 부족한 실정이다. 본 연구는 여수 인근 해역에서 방류된 푸른바다거북(Chelonia mydas) 2개체(PTT 250368: 2023년 방류, 총 70일 추적 PTT 266315: 2024년 방류, 총 238일 추적)의 Argos 위성 추적 자료를 활용하여 이동 경로와 잠수 행동을 비교하고, 해수면 온도와 이동속도 및 공간 이용 특성을 통합적으로 분석하였다. 두 개체 모두 외해 방향으로 이동하였으나 평균 속도(2.49km/h, 3.45km/h)와 최종 목적지 등에서 개체별 차이를 보였다. 이동 단계에서 표층 이동이 지배적이었으나, PTT 266315는 얕은 수심을 상대적으로 더 많이 이용하는 결과가 확인되었다. 또한, PTT 266315에서는 해수면 온도상승에 따라 이동속도가 감소하는 유의미한 음의 상관관계가 관찰되었다. 이동 경로 내 식별된 핫스팟 구간은 비 핫스팟 대비 총 잠수 시간이 약 3% 높고 직진성이 현저히 감소하는 특징을 나타냈으며, 이는 해당 해역이 섭식 및 수중 탐색이 이루어지는 공간임을 시사한다. 본 연구는 이동 경로, 잠수 행동, 수온, 공간 밀도를 통합한 분석을 통해 이동기 바다거북의 잠수 패턴과 잠재적 탐색 구역을 도출하였다. 이러한 결과는 바다거북의 핵심 서식지 이용에 대한 이해를 높이고 기후 변화 대응을 위한 해양 생태계 관리 및 보전 전략 수립을 위한 기초 자료로 활용될 것으로 기대되나 향후 추가 개체 확보와 다양한 환경 변수를 통합한 분석을 수행한다면 바다거북의 공간 이용 특성을 더 정밀하게 규명할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 한국해양과학기술원의 재원으로 "해양대형동물의 플라스틱 노출과 영향 연구: 바다거북 중심" 사업 지원을 받아 수행되었습니다(PEA0406).

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