Sea
turtles
are one of the longest living groups of animals to have
ever existed, having far outlived the Dinosaurs. They have
existed for approximately 200 million years, adapted perfectly
for their environment until human activities placed them
under increasing pressure. Sea turtles are a flagship
species, which means they are a species chosen to represent
an environmental cause conserving the marine ecosystem and
wildlife. Chosen for their charismatic nature, distinctiveness
and vulnerable status, sea turtles engender public support
and thus assist leverage of the entire ecosystem and associated
species.
Sea
Turtles act as environmental indicators. When populations
are healthy (disease is uncommon), it reflects on the health
of their marine habitat. They feed on a variety of organisms,
e.g., Hawksbills eat sponges and corals, providing space
for reef colonisation by other organisms, increasing species
diversity. They feed other organisms, e.g., insects, crabs,
fish, etc. which prey upon them at various life stages.
Nutrients turtles produce through digestion feed other organisms.
They provide a habitat for an array of animals including
cleaner fish, and various barnacle species, some of which
are exclusive to sea turtles. Sea turtles are an intricate
part of their ecosystem. If they are wiped out, many organisms
dependant upon them will also be affected.
Sea
turtles make substantial nutrient and energy contributions
to beaches, promoting plant growth, stabilising beach and
dune systems. Green sea turtles graze sea grass beds, increasing
the productivity of those areas. Leatherback turtles are
major jellyfish predators, providing natural ecological
control of jellyfish populations. If the decline in sea
turtle populations is allowed to continue, it could have
severe consequences on many marine and terrestrial plant
and animal species that depend on sea turtles for their
survival.
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