Ecological Effect of Ecosystem on Sea Turtles (Research Paper Sample)

Course Title:
Student's Name:
Instructor:
Date:
Ecological Effect of Ecosystem on Sea Turtles
Much information about the planet's environment can be learnt by observing the sea turtles. They have been in existence for more than 100 million years. The turtles travel across all the oceans and seas in the world, but are, however, struggling to survive. They will become extinct due to man's activities on the beaches and oceans. The difficulties in the turtles living conditions imply that the man too will have problems in surviving. If man can learn from the different mistakes, changes in behaviors are possible that will save the sea turtle from extinction. The creature maintains the environment of sea grass beds by cutting the grass short while grazing. The unhatched turtle eggs and egg shells in the lower dunes and beaches provide nutrients to the dune vegetation. It is also used for commercial and cultural purposes and it is, therefore, an important creature that will badly affect the ecosystem if lost (Allen 1-10).
Sea turtles and in particular, the green sea turtles comprises one of rare species of animals that consume sea grass. Just like the ordinary lawn grass, grass at seas and oceans require that it be regularly cut short. When the grass is cut short, it becomes healthy and grows all over the sea floor. Sea turtles behave like grazing animals by cutting the grass short, thereby helping it maintain good health of the grass at sea beds. The sea grass beds for the past few years have been declining. The decline is linked to the continued reduction of the number of sea turtles (Wyneken 271-272).
The grass beds at the seas and oceans are important as they provide developmental and breeding grounds for various fish species, crustaceans, and shellfish. In the absence of the grass beds, most of the marine species that people harvest can be lost. The absence of the grass beds can also reduce the availability of food for the organisms at the low levels of the food chain. The disturbance in the food chain can result in the loss of many marine animals as well as impacting human beings. It, therefore, means that if turtles become extinct, there will be a decrease in sea beds and other species that depend on the grass beds for food and shelter. Every part of the ecosystem is important, if one is lost, the rest will eventually follow in the same manner (Heileman and Walling 10).
Dune systems and beaches do not receive many nutrients within a year. Due to the lack of nutrients, no vegetation is present in beaches and very little grows in the dunes. One reason for the lack of the nutrients is that the sand does not hold nutrients well. The sea turtle uses the lower dunes and beaches as nests where it lays its eggs. A sea turtle lays about 101 eggs in a single nest. During the summer season, the turtle can lay up to seven nests. In 21 mile stretch along the east coast beach of Florida, the turtles lay more than 140000 lbs of eggs. Not all nests or eggs hatch and not all hatchlings in a nest manage to free from the nest. The trapped hatchlings, unhatched eggs, and the unhatched nests serve as good sources of rich nutrients for the growth of the dune vegetation. The egg shells left after hatching also provide valuable nutrients (Wyneken 271-275).
The dune vegetation grows and becomes strong when supplemented with turtle eggs nutrients. With the continued growth of the dune vegetation, it becomes strong and healthy. The rest of the beach ecosystem also acquires better health than before. Strong root system and vegetation prevents beach erosion and firmly holds the sand in the dunes. With the decrease in the number of turtles, few eggs get laid in the beaches and fewer nutrients are available. If sea turtles become extinct, the dune vegetation will lose its main source of nutrients. The result will be weak dune vegetation that cannot hold the dunes strong enough to resist erosion. In emphasizing this, all components of an ecosystem are vital and when some are lost, the remaining ones are also lost as time passes (Schelber 19).
The turtles are components of two ecosystems namely the dune or beach and the marine system. The marine and beach ecosystems will be negatively affected if the sea turtles become extinct. Human beings use the systems as sources of food and for a variety of other activities (Lutz et. al 326). When the systems undergo a negative effect, human beings also suffer as one of their source of food and income will reduce (McLeod and Leslie 50-51).
The marine turtles have a history of commercial and cultural use. Some communities depend on this resource for them to earn a living and survive. The marine turtle faces a threat because of their demand for skin, eggs, meat, and shells (Fleischer 175). Its thick yellow oil originating from the carapace is aphrodisiac according to some Caribbean people. The yellow oil serves as a chest rub that relieves congestion. Among the Arabian and Indians, oil from leatherback turtles treats boat timbers. The early inhabitant of Hawaii sought out the hawksbill for lamination. Its use was to fashion fishhooks and for medical purposes. After statehood in 1959, the demand for the turtle meat was in the increase for commercial purposes. Residents of Guam are traditionally known to serve sea turtle meat during funerals, christening, and weddings. In Palau, turtles are good exploits for eggs, shells, and meat.
For the Mexicans, the turtles are sought for because of oil, eggs, and meat. The turtles are a good source of proteins and they also use it for aphrodisiac and medicinal purpos...