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Sea Turtles: Important Links in Ocean Ecology

Sea Turtles: Important Links in Ocean Ecology

Written by Leisure Pro Staff
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Published on November 22, 2014

For millions years, sea turtles have played a vital role in the ecology of the ocean. With the populations of sea turtles ever decreasing in this modern age, the ecology of the ocean is at risk. Most people do not realize what is at stake and the role sea turtles play in the ocean at large. While their intrinsic value is somewhat hard to quantify, there are several major ways in which sea turtles affect ecology of the ocean.

One species of sea turtle, the hawksbill, has a big impact on coral reefs in particular. The hawksbill turtle has a beak-like mouth and feeds on a variety of sponges. Sponges live within coral reefs, and when hawksbill turtles eat them, they can drastically change the composition of the sponges. This allows the coral to further colonize and grow. Without help from the hawksbill, coral reefs would have a harder time flourishing as sponges gradually take over the reef.

All types of sea turtles affect the beach and sandy dunes, as each species lays their eggs on beaches around the world. Those eggs are a very important nutrient source for a variety of wildlife. Most beaches already have a very limited supply of certain nutrients, such as phosphorous, nitrogen, and potassium. The unhatched eggs of a clutch provide these nutrients and help stabilize the nesting beaches. Increased plant growth begins as a result, which in turn creates more nutrients for other species. The eggs also serve as food for predators. Those predators enrich the beaches with nutrients from their feces, completing an ancient cycle of life in these habitats.

Sea turtles can also provide a great source of food for fish. Barnacles, algae, and other organisms, known as epibionts, are carried around by the turtles on their shells and skin. Shrimp and other fish are able to feed from them as they make their way through the sea. Many other types of fish and shrimp also develop cleaning stations for sea turtles, scouring their surfaces for food. In turn, the turtles are kept clean and free from drag that they would otherwise not be able to rid themselves of.

In a somewhat cruel twist for sea turtles, they are also a great source of food for predators, both on land and in tidal areas. Newly hatched sea turtles are the most vulnerable, as many animals including ants, crabs, seabirds, reptiles, and even dogs will snatch them up as an easy meal. Fortunately, as the turtles grow, their list of predators decreases, but orcas, sharks, and humans still pose a significant threat to their survival, no matter how big or old they may be.

Leisure Pro Staff

Leisure Pro Staff

Marketing Director for LeisurePro