Every organism from micro-organisms to humans plays a major role in keeping the natural process of planet Earth working efficiently. While over the years due to deforestation and hunting many species have gone extinct and a few are considered endangered, now extra care is being taken to protect the endangered species and also the entire flora and fauna so that every animal and plant sustains and thrives in its habitat.
One such important animal is the Turtle which also makes a significant contribution to the environment. On World Turtle Day today, know what makes the sea turtles so important for the environment.
Multiple roles of sea turtles in the environment
Sea turtles play multiple roles in the maintenance and evolution of the basic structure as well as the dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. They perform the versatile roles of consumer, prey, host as well as competitor during their interspecific interactions in the ecosystem. Sea turtles also play a crucial role in the food web of the planet as well as in maintaining the overall health of the oceans in the world.
They also perform the significant role of a conduit in the transference of both energy and nutrients among and within the ecosystems. Sea turtles are also known to modify the structure of the entire marine ecosystem substantially. Since they belong to the reptile family, turtles can easily adapt to a wide range of habitats including terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ones.
They also make a very significant impact on a wide variety of species including animals, plants, and fish. They are scavengers who maintain both herbivorous and carnivorous lifestyles depending upon the type of habitat they are using. The green turtle uses seaweed and seagrass on the ocean floor as food, breaks the plant materials energy, and then transforms it into proteins.
Preserving coral reefs so that they can be used as homes for other marine organisms and animals and transferring vital nutrients from land to the ocean and vice-versa are a few of the important activities that are performed by the turtles.