Local ecological knowledge and community perceptions of a nascent arribada beach in Costa Rica

Abstract

Arribadas present many research challenges, such as establishing historical baselines and the elucidation of their formation and evolution. For local communities arribadas mean addressing shifts in areas such as tourism, sea turtle egg extraction and animal predation dynamics, representing a potential catalyst for changing attitudes towards sea turtle conservation. This study aims to provide insights about the onset and evolution of Corozalito, a nascent Costa Rican arribada beach, by compiling local ecological knowledge (LEK), and by identifying the local perceptions towards the mass nesting event and its socio-economic and conservation impacts. From October to December 2018, we conducted two types of semi-structured interviews: 10 to key informants (KIs) gathering LEK of Corozalito arribada and 15 to local respondents assessing perceptions about this phenomenon. According to KIs, Corozalito arribadas started in the late 1990s, early 2000s, exhibiting a growing trend in magnitude and frequency, which is consistent with published monitoring data. There was a general basic understanding among community members about the importance of sea turtle conservation. Regarding threats to sea turtles during arribadas, animal nest predation was the most frequently mentioned; nonetheless, most respondents attributed it to a natural process. In contrast, sea turtle egg extraction presented the most divided opinions, being reported as a source of conflict in the past for the community. Most respondents expressed concerns about egg removal for commercial purposes. Clutch density, nest destruction, and legal egg extraction in similar arribada sites, were occasionally mentioned as arguments favoring sea turtle egg extraction. Additionally, there was a general feeling that tourism should be promoted with regulations for economic revenue in the short-term. Overall, this study provides useful information about the establishment and evolution of Corozalito arribadas along with its impacts on the local community, which can inform future management and conservation strategies.