The Tasmanian Tiger, the Passenger Pigeon, the Caribbean Monk Seal. What do these three animals have in common? They have all become extinct within the past one hundred years. The list doesn’t end there though. Many species have lost the battle with extinction, and many more are currently listed as endangered or critically endangered. You may be wondering what this has to do with you. Well, how would you feel if you were edging closer and closer to extinction every day, and nobody seemed to care? The fact that numerous animals are dying out is very disturbing, especially because human destruction is a direct cause. But, not to fear! Scientists are constantly researching strategies for saving earth’s amazing creatures. For example, the article “Hawksbill sea turtles in sea grass pastures:success in a peripheral habitat” (Bjorndal and Bolten) was recently published in a Marine Biology academic journal. This article contains information concerning a thirty year study on Hawksbill sea turtles, known to scientists as Eretmochelys imbricate. If you’re like me, you’ve never heard of this particular turtle being on the verge of extinction, but they are currently listed as a Critically Endangered species. Lucky for them, this study may unlock the key to keeping them alive.
Normally,Hawksbill sea turtles thrive in coral reef and other hard-bottom habitats. Unfortunately for these turtles, coral reefs are on the decline. A substitute habitat for Hawksbills in the Caribbean is sea grass pastures. Marine biologists conducting the research reported in the article were trying to determine if sea grass pastures would provide an alternative, yet good quality, habitat for Hawksbill sea turtles. Data was collected over a thirty year period in the Southern Bahamas to assess the quality of sea grass habitats for Hawksbills. The marine biologists collected data on many factors including body size, body mass, and isotope analyses of the Hawksbill turtles. They found that the size distribution, residence times, and body condition index for sea grass Hawksbills are actually higher than those of the Hawksbill populations over Caribbean reefs! This means that the Hawksbill population was able to thrive and grow while living in the sea grass pastures.
Following this study, the biologists determined that sea grass habitats can not only support healthy and productive Hawksbill populations, they are actually more beneficial. Based on these results, scientists concluded that conservation efforts shouldn’t be limited to core habitats. One optimistic option for endangered animals is that secondary habitats could supply conditions that are just as good, if not better, for survival. Although this particular area shows strong favor for providing a substitute habitat for Hawksbills, additional studies are needed. Structure and attributes of sea grass pastures vary throughout the Caribbean, and scientists still need to assess other areas to determine if the results would be the same. Despite this disclaimer, the results of this study are very promising. One small step for marine biologists, one giant leap for Hawksbill sea turtles!
Now, you may read this and brush it off. It’s not like a Hawksbill sea turtle is just what you wanted for your birthday. If this is the case, I’m not sure how you sleep at night. On the other hand, maybe you may found this to be inspirational. Those who major in Marine Biology often conduct studies such as this in the field. As a marine biologist, you could choose for your life’s work to be researching and reporting on strategies for saving aquatic endangered species. Just something to keep in mind as you continue on your journey toward picking a major. Even if this article didn’t magically shine the light on what career path is right for you, hopefully it did make you aware of one special endangered animal.
Normally,Hawksbill sea turtles thrive in coral reef and other hard-bottom habitats. Unfortunately for these turtles, coral reefs are on the decline. A substitute habitat for Hawksbills in the Caribbean is sea grass pastures. Marine biologists conducting the research reported in the article were trying to determine if sea grass pastures would provide an alternative, yet good quality, habitat for Hawksbill sea turtles. Data was collected over a thirty year period in the Southern Bahamas to assess the quality of sea grass habitats for Hawksbills. The marine biologists collected data on many factors including body size, body mass, and isotope analyses of the Hawksbill turtles. They found that the size distribution, residence times, and body condition index for sea grass Hawksbills are actually higher than those of the Hawksbill populations over Caribbean reefs! This means that the Hawksbill population was able to thrive and grow while living in the sea grass pastures.
Following this study, the biologists determined that sea grass habitats can not only support healthy and productive Hawksbill populations, they are actually more beneficial. Based on these results, scientists concluded that conservation efforts shouldn’t be limited to core habitats. One optimistic option for endangered animals is that secondary habitats could supply conditions that are just as good, if not better, for survival. Although this particular area shows strong favor for providing a substitute habitat for Hawksbills, additional studies are needed. Structure and attributes of sea grass pastures vary throughout the Caribbean, and scientists still need to assess other areas to determine if the results would be the same. Despite this disclaimer, the results of this study are very promising. One small step for marine biologists, one giant leap for Hawksbill sea turtles!
Now, you may read this and brush it off. It’s not like a Hawksbill sea turtle is just what you wanted for your birthday. If this is the case, I’m not sure how you sleep at night. On the other hand, maybe you may found this to be inspirational. Those who major in Marine Biology often conduct studies such as this in the field. As a marine biologist, you could choose for your life’s work to be researching and reporting on strategies for saving aquatic endangered species. Just something to keep in mind as you continue on your journey toward picking a major. Even if this article didn’t magically shine the light on what career path is right for you, hopefully it did make you aware of one special endangered animal.
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