There are endangered Hawksbill Turtles that are becoming vegetarian. Researchers in Hawaii have found that the change is related to the decline of Hawaii’s coral reefs. Hawksbill turtles most eye catching feature is their shells, ornately patterned in honey, chocolate and mahogany hues. Collectors have long taken note that in the twentieth century alone, millions of hawksbills were killed so their shells could be carved into bracelets, hairpieces, jewelry boxes and other trinkets. Researchers are figuring out what research is best to find out more about Hawksbill turtles. Using bomb radiocarbon is one way to answer some biological questions. Doctor Van and his colleagues took a closer look at the radiocarbon levels in corals and turtles. In a final step, researchers applied the radiocarbon results, along with known measurements from captive and wild-caught turtles, to a mathematical model that could estimate an animal’s growth rate. Researchers have discovered, levels found in corals and turtle shells have become strikingly similar, indicating a shift in the turtles’ diet toward the bottom of the food chain. In addition, these turtles are normally omnivores that eat sponges, crustaceans, algae and more. Therefore, they are becoming vegetarians due to the lack of food that they eat. Doctor Godley states, “if such studies could be replicated across the Pacific and other ocean basins, we could attain a superb window into the long-term ecology of individual sea turtles, populations and their ecosystems.” An Ecosystem is a community and its physical(abiotic) environment. This topic relates to ecology because it can effect species in other ecosystems. If these sea turtles do not consume the food they need it can have an impact on the secondary consumers and tertiary consumers. If these sea turtles were to become extinct then species who eat them could become extinct as well. As well as, the environment can become effected if there is a decrease of these sea turtles. In my opinion, a factor as to why these turtles could be endangered are because of humans using them to make goods and not letting them live in their environment. In my opinion, the article demonstrated the importance of continuing to complete research on sea turtles to help make their ecosystems better.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/26/science/sea-turtles-hawksbills-shells-nuclear-blasts-radiation.html?_r=0
Its really sad that animals such as this are killed just to be used for materials that one doesn't truly need. Animals all around the world are becoming extinct because people don't understand the implications of killing off animal's. Like you stated, causing one animals to go extinct can cause other animals to die out as well because it messes up the food chain. But it's also important to note that animals can adapt to changes in the enviornment. Of Course, according to this article, it doesn't seem like they are really applauding the change in dietary, but it shows some hope for animals with changing habitats. It is killing off corals but at least it's given something for turtles to eat so they can survive until, hopefully, something is done to help them.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your article about the Hawksbill Turtles because I was unaware that their closeness to extinction is related to the decline in coral reefs. It is so sad that people use such beautiful animals and risk putting them to extinction just to make a piece of jewelry. Not only are these people putting the Hawksbill Turtles at risk, but they are also putting all other animals in the food chain at risk because of what they eat.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad that Hawksbill Turtles are becoming vegetarians. If we cannot eat what we normally eat due to the lack of food, we would die. I feel so bad because we humans are taking everything away from them, but we are having whatever we want. I think that the idea that separates human from other animals is casing us to be "the strongest" and making us feel "special". Animals should be treated the same as humans, but humans are so selfish and careless. We need to change our mind and take some actions before it is too late, but we are getting closer and closer to the point where it is too late.
ReplyDeleteI would be curious to see how other species in this ecosystem are faring with the changes occurring (excluding, obviously, the species that are disappearing).
ReplyDeleteI am also curious by the methodology that the researchers are using to collect this data. "Bomb radiocarbon" does not sound necessarily healthy for the ecosystems.