Sea Turtles Versus Climate Change:
Sea turtles are one of the most important animals in the ocean. They work to help control the number of jellyfish and help monitor the number of sea sponges (Which compete with coral in coral reef). Keeping the sea grass healthy is also one of their many benefits. This also allows the sea grass to provide habitat for other species and store carbon. Their hatchlings that nests on the beachside provide nutrients for costal vegetation and food for predators. While fully grown turtles provide food for apex predators such as sharks. Why are Sea Turtles important? Human made causes are now threatening them more than ever with plastic pollution and changing temperatures affecting them.
What is threatening them?
Pollution:
"Every year, 11 million metric tons of plastics enter our ocean on top of the estimated 200 million metric tons that currently circulate through our marine environments." says the Ocean Conservancy This a huge problem that is killing ocean wildlife. Many animals think plastic is food due to the vibrant colors which leads to them choking on it. Plastics are a huge risk to any animals living in the sea.
Pollution from heavy metal such as mercury can cause organ failure. Mercury in other organisms can also have affect on human health. It can also affect the cognitive ability of sea turtles causing them to hit into boats and other dangerous place. Despite bans on some of these heavy metal such as PCB they are still found in the water. Ocean Pollution
Changing Temperatures:
Sea Turtles have an unique feature that determines the sex of the an offspring. During incubation the temperature of the environment around determine whether they are female or male. Temperature around 29 C/ 84 F create a somewhat even spilt between males and females. Warmer temperatures yield a higher rate of female and colder temperatures yield more males. This puts sea turtles at a huge risk to climate change with temperature in their climate niche expect to rise. This will create a higher ratio of females to males. Increasing the number of females that do not reproduce. This will have huge affect on the population of Sea Turtles and could lead them into extinction. How Temperature Determines Sex in Sea Turtles
How can we help?
Only eat seafood that is sustainability caught.
Support sea turtle conservation efforts.
Don't litter.
Don't attempt to feed sea turtles.
Participate in beach clean ups.
Don't release balloons as they are most likely going to end up in the ocean.
Fill in sandcastles as they are huge obstacle for hatchlings.
Watch out for them when boating.
Be careful with fish gear.
From NOAA
This is a great topic! I wonder how many sea turtles remain in the oceans and where they are most impacted by human activity.
ReplyDeleteI like that you are bringing attention to Sea Turtles and how our plastic pollution problem is affecting them, as well as providing us ideas of how to help protect them and stop putting them in danger.
ReplyDeleteVery eye-opening read! The connection between climate change and sea turtle population is especially concerning, particularly how rising temperatures are skewing sex ratios and threatening their long-term survival.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that turtles did so much for the ocean! I loved when people where bringing awareness to "save the turtles" however it died out quickly after the trend ended and people went back to not caring. Maybe someday when there is no other choice people will care.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post, Joe! I never realized how much sea turtles do for the ocean ecosystem, from controlling jellyfish to keeping seagrass healthy. The impact of rising temperatures on their sex ratios is wild—could this eventually make it impossible for them to reproduce naturally? Also, with so much plastic in the ocean, do you think banning single-use plastics worldwide would actually make a difference, or is the damage already too far gone?
ReplyDeleteI love this! I keep a small handmade glass turtle in my truck that I got from a sea turtle conservation program. This post truly highlighted the need to protect sea turtles and all of our ocean life!
ReplyDeleteI hate seeing the images of sea turtles swimming amongst the garbage and plastic we use so liberally. I wish I was not a contributor to this great injustice to such majestic creatures, but I must take responsibility too. Sea turtles keep the ocean healthy, and I hope I can advocate for others to help keep sea turtles healthy on their behalf. Humans will not realize how much they are doing to hurt the natural world until they see these images and have these conversations.
ReplyDeleteI knew that sea turtles were negatively impacted by the pollution but I have not heard about the temperature thing and the determination of sex. It is scary to think that these magnificent creatures may very well become extinct because of the rising temperatures.
ReplyDeleteIt is absolutely heartbreaking that the animals of the Earth have to pay and suffer for mankind's faulty problems and climate change. I had no idea how devastating the impacts would be for animals like sea turtles from the rising temperatures and the acidic levels of the seawater. It reminds me of the story "Herme" that we read in class when the crab was retelling the joys and life he once had.
ReplyDeleteSea turtles play a vital role in marine ecosystems, but pollution and rising temperatures threaten their survival. Protecting them requires sustainable practices, conservation efforts, and reducing human-made hazards in their habitats.
ReplyDeleteSea turtles are an example of a keystone species as well, and their loss will have huge effects on the ecosystems where they live. As you mentioned, they keep sponge and jellyfish populations in check. It's important to protect them for the good of these ecosystems and the benefits they provide for people living near them.
ReplyDeleteThis post really hit home as I remember hearing a lot about pollution effecting sea turtles when I was a child. It is sad to see how intensely these animals are effect, to the degree that their ability to reproduce is being impeded on a mass scale. I would imagine this same scenario will play out for other creatures as well, as I've heard of different reptiles with a similar sex-determination mechanism.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad knowing that sea turtles will likely be negatively impacted by climate change, I like that you spoke on what all these small but hardworking creatures do for our aquatic ecosystem
ReplyDeletewhat an amazing read i love that you had ideas to help sea turtles when plastic is such a big problem. it's also crazy to think about how not many sea turtles can even make it to the water so to add plastic to the mix of problems seems like so much.
ReplyDeleteHow do you think we can raise more awareness about these issues?
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how you chose to focus on a specific species such as the sea turtles especially since they have been a model to reduce plastic pollution in recent years. This really puts into perspective how many difference species are declining due to all aspects of pollution and global warming, which should be of more concern because their addition to the food web also poses threats to humanity.
ReplyDeleteThis was such an interesting post! I had no idea that the temperature could affect the genders of the sea turtles. I also didn't think of sandcastles being an obstacle to getting back to the ocean. This was very informative.
ReplyDeleteAs a scuba diver I have many times seen sea turtles. They are so majestic! I have observed fish that cooperate with them, cleaning their shells. That they are threatened is heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteI have always found it so interesting how sea turtles determine its sex. Sea turtles have also been a frontrunner for animals and how they can be negatively impacted by humans, as I recall the "save the turtles" missions.
ReplyDeleteSea turtles are very beautiful sea creatures. I actually was unaware of all of the benefits that they brought into the world. It's an incredibly sad thing to see, as us humans are responsible for this climate change.
ReplyDelete200 million ton of plastic in our oceans and wildlife lose goes hand in hand. I'm sure that includes the trash islands that were created. I heard one trash island was the size of Texas
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