Keystone Species In Marine Ecosystems: Sea Turtle Conservation Recommendations

by PRC Agency PR

You’re probably at least vaguely familiar with sea turtles and how they’re struggling to survive amidst all the challenges they’re facing. Indeed, sea turtles are among one of the most vulnerable species out there, which doesn’t bode well for marine ecosystems. If you want to know why their continued existence is crucial to our oceans and what steps you can take to protect them, Ever Wonder Adventure’s comprehensive guide to sea turtles will tell you all you need to know!

Read about how you can save sea turtles by visiting https://www.everwonderadventure.com/save-sea-turtles

Keystone Species: An Irreplaceable Part of Ecosystems

It can’t be understated how important sea turtles are for the health of our oceans. They’re so important that if they disappeared, many marine ecosystems would look vastly different - some would even disappear.

As a keystone species, sea turtles occupy a unique ecological niche that cannot be filled by other organisms, making them vital components of the ecosystems they inhabit. Their presence greatly influences the food web; because they prey on various herbivorous invertebrates, they prevent explosive population growth that can deplete the surrounding waters of oxygen and nutrients. This also lessens grazing pressure on kelp forests, a crucial habitat for many species of marine wildlife.

In short, they keep prey populations in check while ensuring the continued existence of a range of habitats. You could say that their very presence promotes oceanic biodiversity.

Nutrient Cycling: From Beaches to Oceans

In nature, some of the most important processes are things that you can’t see with the naked eye, like nutrient cycling. And guess what? Sea turtles are also intimately involved in this process. Their feeding habits redistribute nutrients over vast distances in the ocean, stimulating the growth of primary producers such as phytoplankton.

And their effects aren’t limited to the water. When the turtles return to shore to reproduce, they deposit more nutrients into the sand through their eggs, nourishing beach vegetation that stabilizes sand dunes. These dunes ultimately provide habitats for seashore wildlife and reduce shoreline erosion.

That means sea turtles influence habitat formation on both land and in the sea. One can only imagine the devastating, far-reaching effects of their disappearance!

Sea Turtles and Plastic

Unfortunately, a world without sea turtles is a world we creep closer to each day. All sea turtle species are impacted by climate change, rising sea levels, poaching, and negative interactions with commercial fisheries, but another significant threat is widespread plastic pollution. Because plastic bags and other waste resemble jellyfish, algae, and other prey species, sea turtles may mistakenly ingest them, potentially leading to organ damage and intestinal blockages; the latter often results in the eventual starvation of the animal. That’s a terrible way to go! But sadly, a significant number of turtles are lost due to plastic consumption each year.

We can’t bring dead sea turtles back, but we can act now to prevent more from succumbing to such a sad fate. To combat these losses, Ever Wonder Adventure urges you to reduce plastic waste and adopt sustainable recycling practices. Use biodegradable alternatives where you can, and when you can’t, you can always fall back on the three trusty Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle!

Also, supporting ongoing efforts to protect the animals goes a long way. That includes promoting conservation efforts, donating to or taking part in them, or just educating yourself. It doesn’t take leaps and bounds to save the world; even small steps make a huge difference.

About Ever Wonder Adventure

Ever Wonder Adventure is committed to raising awareness about various global environmental issues. In addition to conservation guides for keystone species, the website offers readers eco-friendly travel recommendations to biodiversity hubs around the world.

And speaking of supporting conservation efforts, why not support Ever Wonder Adventure while you’re at it? They’re very devoted to saving the planet, so if you share their vision, drop by their online store. You can get some cool merch, and you’ll be supporting a great cause. It’s a win-win situation!

Visit https://www.everwonderadventure.com/support-us#!/Save-Sea-Turtles/c/154378753 to get started!

Ever Wonder Adventure City: Sin