What are the ecological importance of loggerhead sea turtles?

Answer 1

Sea turtles, especially green sea turtles, are one of the few animals that eat sea grass. Sea grass needs to be constantly cut short to help it grow across the sea floor. Sea turtles act as grazing animals that cut the grass short and help maintain the health of the sea grass beds. Sea grass beds provide breeding and developmental grounds for numerous species of fish, shellfish and crustaceans. Without sea grass beds, many marine species humans harvest would be lost, as would the lower levels of the food chain. The reactions could result in many more marine species eventually becoming endangered or extinct.

Answer 2

• Many species of sea turtles feed on sea sponges as well as jellyfish (and hence help control jellyfish populations).
• A great deal of intentional marine sea turtle harvests worldwide are for food.
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