As sea turtle populations decline, so does their ability to fulfill vital functions in ocean ecosystems.Our oceans are Major changes have occurred in the oceans because sea turtles have been virtually eliminated from many areas of the globe. These ecosystems house many animals and promote the safety of the wildlife and without sea turtles, the ecosystems would be in great danger. A Poorer World So, turtles do a lot for the world’s ecology. Boat strikes are a serious threat to sea turtles, so slow down and steer around them. Remember, turtles have to come up to the surface for air, and they can be difficult to see. The green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eremochelys imbricata) and the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) sea turtles have very significant traditional importance through spiritual, ceremonial and also medicinal values. Adapted for these lengthy migrations, loggerheads have a small shell and enlarged flippers. According to a study conducted by The Ocean Conservancy’s 2015 Ocean Trash Index, plastic is the single greatest detriment to sea turtles. Without the ecological role of sea turtles, the health of the world’s oceans is compromised. Sea Turtles are one of the few animals that eat sea grass. The Ocean is the heart of the planet. They regulate a variety of other organisms simply through eating them. Sea turtles also add balance to the food web in the way they feed. Sea turtles and sea turtle eggs provide important nutrients to dune and beach ecosystems as well as marine and ocean ecosystems. Wanting to help these amazing creatures thrive is commendable – but it’s important to go about it the right way. Loggerhead turtles are named for their large heads that support powerful jaw muscles, allowing them to crush hard-shelled prey like clams and sea urchins. Turtles are no different and among the roles they play are as follows: Turtles are important as scavengers, herbivores, carnivores and often contribute significant biomass to the ecosystems. Sea plants, like Posidonia, produce 70% of the oxygen we breathe (1), and the deep waters are home to wildlife and some of the biggest creatures on earth.It provides us with food, jobs, life, entertainment, and sailing! Besides, they are also nurseries for a variety of species of fish, shellfish and crustaceans. List five tips on how we as a community can help save sea turtles. Healthy oceans need sea turtles and sea turtles need healthy oceans! Some migrate more than 7,500 miles between nesting beaches. Lexie Beach of The Sea … Those that are conserved are because they suffered injuries caused by fishing nets, were attacked by some predator, received the impact of a boat, or an illness left them handicapped. Green sea turtles graze on seagrass, an increasing focus of Seacology projects. Green turtles feed on seagrasses and seaweeds that grow on the ocean floor. Sea turtles, manatees and dugongs, also known as herbivorous grazers, graze on the sea grass. On the other hand, the adult sea turtle is prey to sharks and orcas while in the sea. Sea turtles have survived for millions of years but recently their populations have suffered due to human-induced threats that could lead to their eventual extinction. #1 Maintaining sea grass habitats. 1. Give sea turtles at least 10 feet (3 m) of space. Water covers more than two-thirds of the Earth’s surface. These turtles have been very important links traditionally and culturally for most of the 13 maritime provinces. Sea turtles mate at sea, then come ashore on beaches to lay their eggs. Importance of sea turtles. Look closely and you’ll find a vast collection of commercially important fish and crustacea. Sea turtles are an important part of the planet’s food web and play a vital role in maintaining the health of the world’s oceans. They break down the energy of plant materials and convert them into protein. presentation to your neighborhood or local school on things they can do to save sea turtles, and most importantly, talk to others about what they can do to make sure they are not putting these important creatures in danger. If sea turtles were to vanish they could disrupt hundreds of chains of living organism ultimately producing a likely extinction for many of these or other living things. These are most often female sea turtles coming to nest, and they can easily get spooked. Sea turtles have a higher vegetarian diet and are have seagrass as food. Unfortunately, all sea turtles species are endangered and this is largely down to human activity. They have witnessed the fall of the dinosaurs and the rise of humanity. Sea Turtles serve our ecology in several ways and here are a couple examples. Loggerhead sea turtles make some of the longest known journeys of any sea turtle species. hamu®TV presents Saving a Species - Sea Turtle. Some female turtles are prey to jaguars whenever they nest at night. Sea turtles are ancient species, having been around since the time of the dinosaurs — about 110 million years. August 2017 – Part II. The reptiles are often caught in fishing nets by accident (along with dolphins, sharks, and more) and die as a result. Although Prescott and his team mainly save ridley sea turtles, they also find and rescue loggerhead turtles and green turtles. www.defenders.org 5 Things You Can Do To Save Sea Turtles Nesting sea turtles leave about 75 percent of their energy on land in the form of eggs and hatchlings before they return to sea. March 12, 2019 by Bob Janik Leave a Comment. Wanting to save the sea turtles is commendable – but it’s important to go about it the right way. Many sea creatures make their home in seagrass meadows. The Sea Turtle Conservancy offers their advice. If we manage, in the process, to save sea turtle, we might just be saving ourselves too. You cannot find a high number of sea turtles in captivity around the world. Sea turtles have an important role in the marine environment. Sea Turtles are known as a “keystone species”, which means that they are a very important part of the marine ecosystem and influence other animals around them. This episode explores the capabilities and challenges of one of the world's more ancient and astounding animal species, sea turtles. Sea turtles are seen as peaceful, wise, mysterious and interesting ocean ambassadors that travel the world and symbolize the great unknown sea. All of these adds up to the food web, making sea turtles an integral part of it. Sea turtles are commonly found in oceans, bays, sounds, and near shore waters. It is important that we protect every living organism on the earth to avoid disrupting any more ecosystems. Their habitat spans the globe from the North Atlantic near the Arctic Circle to the South Pacific around New Zealand. They have survived the evolution and demise and extinction of thousands of other species. (The “green” in their name refers to the coloring the turles take on from the chlorophyll in the seagrass and algae they eat.) Go Slow: Sea Turtles Below! Just like grass lawns, the seagrass needs to be cut short. ... Why It’s So Important. When the organization started the program in the 1980s, Prescott said it rescued between 10 and 20 turtles per year, but now it averages about 600 turtles a year. Q. Sea turtles' chances of survival are already quite slim. For example, green turtles mainly feed on seagrass. 5/7 sea turtle species are endangered. Sea grass beds are important feeding grounds for green sea turtles, manatees, dugongs, and other species. SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS: SAVE SEA TURTLES. Feeding Balance. green, hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback and olive ridley sea turtles are all endangered due to human activity. Seagrass is also an important habitat for the crustaceans and fish that are a dietary staple for loggerhead and olive ridley turtles. Sea turtles and sea turtle eggs provide important nutrients to dune and beach ecosystems as well as marine and ocean ecosystems. Saving The Sea Turtles There are around five species of sea turtles that are endangered today. Why? Our Billion Baby Turtles program supports more than 20 organizations working to protect sea turtles and hatchlings on some of the world’s most important nesting beaches. One great way that kids can contribute to protecting sea turtles is by raising funds. Don't approach sea turtles when they come up to land. From large dugongs, manatees, sharks and turtles to tiny seahorses, shrimps and octopus. All six sea turtle species found in U.S. waters are protected by the Endangered Species Act.They are the green, hawksbill, Kemp's ridley, leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley. U.S. Sea Turtles Importance of Sea Turtles to Healthy Oceans Maintaining Habitat Importance of Green Sea Turtles on Seagrass Beds Impact of Hawksbill Sea Turtles on Coral Reefs Benefit of Sea Turtles to Beach Dunes Maintaining a Balanced Food Web Sea Turtles and Jellyfish Sea Turtles Provide Food for Fish Nutrient Cycling Why is the Ocean so important? Sea turtles do not have teeth, yet it is one of the interesting facts about sea turtles their mouths adapt to all the types of food they usually eat. Sea turtles help to maintain the balance of the marine ecosystem, mainly the health of the grass beds and coral reefs. There were millions of sea turtles in our oceans, we are down to less than 1 million sea turtles. They are less likely to be hunted for their meat or shell compared to other sea turtles. One of the biggest threats to sea turtles is the fishing industry. Why is it important we protect sea turtles? The Sea Turtle Serves Ecology. Leatherback Sea Turtles have been here for over 65 million years. If sea turtles become extinct, they could severely impact the ecosystems of marine life in ways that we may not be aware of. To avoid injury: Watch for sea turtles in the water. The vegetarian sea turtles eat seaweed, while the other turtles eat clams, crab, jellyfish and sea cucumbers. If sea turtles disappear from the ocean, it wouldn’t only be a huge loss for future human generations but it would also threaten the longevity of other marine life. Why is it important to save sea turtles? Sea Turtles in Captivity. Why Sea Turtles are Important. Commercial fishing, loss of nesting habitat and climate change are among the human-caused threats pushing sea turtles towards extinction.