Sea turtles are one of the few animals that feed on seagrass. Seagrass beds need to be maintained constantly so that it can spread across areas. It is important as the breeding ground for many species of fish and shellfish. Sea turtles ensure that the seagrass is healthy enough to provide the optimum environment for growth, affecting other marine species.

Sea turtles not only provide benefits to the marine environment but also plays an unexpected role on land – on dunes. These environments are poor in nutrients which makes it difficult to support plant growth. However, the egg shells and unfertilised eggs which are buried in the dunes act as a source of nutrients, which allows vegetation to grow. Better vegetation holds the sand dunes in place and protects it from being eroded.

Meet the Hawksbills.

Credit: CoastaRicaScuba.com

The Hawksbills can be identified by their pointed beak. They feed on sponges in the coral reefs, jellyfish and sea anemones. By feeding off the sponges of the coral reefs, they provide a better access to the corals for the reef fish. The Hawksbills are particularly susceptible to being accidentally captured on fishing hooks because of their beak. Sometimes, they may mistake plastic bags for jellyfish. Hence, by using circle hooks instead of J-shaped hooks, as well as managing waste disposal, we can protect the Hawksbills.

Meet the Leatherbacks.

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They are the largest of all turtles. They can tolerate cooler waters and are found further north than other species. They dive deeper than other species, up to 4,200 feet beneath sea level and hold their breath for up to 85 minutes! Migrating over longer distances means that they are exposed to a higher level of risk of entanglement than other species.

Meet the Green Sea Turtles.

Credit: National Geographic

Even though their name suggests otherwise, the shells of the green sea turtles are not actually green – but are a mixture of brown, yellow and white. They are called the Green Sea Turtle because of their green body fat. Adult green sea turtles eat primarily seagrass though their young are carnivorous. They change their diet gradually as they mature. Adult sea turtles feed on the seagrass and algae, maintaining the condition of the seagrass beds. The seagrass that is consumed is then quickly excreted and contributes to the nutrients of the seabed for plant growth. This maintenance of the seagrass beds is crucial for the fishes which live among the seagrass, which also has implications on fishing.

 

Meet the Loggerhead Turtles.

Credit: OCEANA

The Loggerhead Turtles feed on hard-shelled prey such as crustaceans. By breaking the shells into fragments, they increase the rate at which these shells disintegrate, which can provide nutrients for the ocean floor. Consequently, it increases the rate of nutrient recycling on the ocean floor. While foraging for their prey, they also decrease the degree of compaction, which is important for plant growth. Interestingly, they can carry colonies of plants and animals on their shells which serve as important habitats for these marine species. By migrating long distances while acting as a host for many species on its shell, the Loggerback contributes to diversity in the ocean at different regions across the world. Without the Loggerheads, fishes which feed on aquatic plants will be affected due to the poorer plant growth and so will the amount of catch.

Meet the Olive Ridley Turtles.

Credit: CaliforniaHerps.com

Olive Ridleys were once killed for their meat and leather – one of the reasons for its low population numbers today. They are particularly vulnerable because they nest in a small number of places, which makes any disruption to these environments a significant impact on their breeding.