Workshop - stable isotopes

Demystifying Stable Isotopes for Sea Turtle Researchers

Mon 16 Feb, afternoon, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

An interactive workshop organized by:

Kim Reich, Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research and University of Florida
Karen Arthur, Smithsonian Marine Station at Ft. Pierce
Jeffrey Seminoff, NOAA – National Marine Fisheries Service

Stable isotopes are a powerful tool for addressing questions relating to sea turtle trophic ecology and life history patterns, and this is a fast-growing technique used by turtle researchers. The goal of this workshop is to assemble an international group of sea turtle biologists who have applied or have an interest in applying stable isotope techniques to their studies. We believe that with the rapid growth in the number of sea turtle studies utilizing stable isotopes that the time is right to address how we can, as a community, maximize the information gleaned from these projects. During this 3-hr workshop, we will host individual presentations and group discussion.

The topics to be covered during this workshop include

(a) a general introduction of the stable isotope technique,

(b) discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of this approach, and

(c) establishing common methodologies and protocols for the collection, preservation, preparation, and processing of samples.

In addition to these topics, we hope that this workshop will promote collaborations and new stable isotopic studies of sea turtles around the world.

The workshop is free to symposium delegates. Places are not limited. However, please indicate your intention to come using the tick box within your online registration form for the symposium.