If sea turtles become extinct, both the marine and beach ecosystems will weaken. When you see a green sea turtle in the water, it is acceptable to swim alongside them, but it is important to not touch them or make them feel threatened. Every species has evolved to survive in particular habitats and each sea turtle plays a … Throughout their life-cycle, marine turtles play an important role in the ecology and well-being of coastal and open ocean environments. These ecosystems house many animals and promote the safety of the wildlife and without sea turtles, the ecosystems would be in great danger. Sea turtles make incredibly long migrations between feeding and breeding areas. The world’s seven species of sea turtles all live in the oceans and nest onshore. Sea turtles are part of two vital ecosystems, beaches and marine systems. The sea grass is also important to the economy--with out the sea grass, the species of fish that live there would be lost, the people that fish for them couldn't anymore. Though marine turtles maintain their air of ancient mystery, we know more today than ever before about how marine turtles help maintain healthy oceans. Sea turtles play an important role in ocean ecosystems by maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs, providing key habitat for other marine life, helping to balance marine food webs and facilitating nutrient cycling from water to land. Commercial fishing, loss of nesting habitat and climate change are among the human-caused threats pushing sea turtles towards extinction. Sea turtles and sea turtle eggs provide important nutrients to dune and beach ecosystems as well as marine and ocean ecosystems. Some fisherman depend on fishing for their jobs, and if sea turtles go extinct, the underwater ecosystem would be unbalanced. Conservation organizations are working with local communities to help change fishing practices as well as transition incomes away from turtle harvesting and toward turtle tourism. Major changes have occurred in the oceans because sea turtles have been virtually eliminated from many areas of the globe. The leatherback travels an average of 3,700 miles each way. Sea turtles are ancient species, having been around since the time of the dinosaurs — about 110 million years. And since humans use the ocean as an important source for food and use beaches for many kinds of activities, weakness in these ecosystems would have harmful effects on humans. Putting a turtle under stress is very harmful – normally they can hold their breath for hours, but when under a stressful situation that time comes down to a … NPS. As sea turtle populations decline, so does their ability to fulfill vital functions in ocean ecosystems.Our oceans are The presence of sea turtles within Gulf Islands National Seashore illustrates the biodiversity and beauty of marine wildlife, but they are also ecologically important to both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. All six sea turtle species found in U.S. waters are protected by the Endangered Species Act.They are the green, hawksbill, Kemp's ridley, leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley. Sea turtle nests are marked and monitored by park staff to protect future generations of sea turtles. And, marine protected areas are being established in important sea turtle habitats. Sea turtles are also important to the economy. Sea turtles are ancient creatures celebrated in creation myths belonging to diverse cultures around the world. 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