Evironmental Contributers

 

Deathly Habitats Causing Deathly Consequences

 

The effects of the environment on the Hawksbill are endless, these turtles are already critically endangered, so even slight changes in the environment could wreak havoc onto their population. Hawksbill turtles are extremely susceptible to the environmental changes around them. A huge contributer the decline of Hawksbills is HIPPCO, or Habitat Loss, Invasive Species, Pollution, Population, Climate Change, Overharvesting. All of these factors affect the Hawksbill tremendously.  Here are some of the major environmental impacts affecting the Hawksbill:

 

• One of the biggest effects is the dying of coral reefs, occurring from our  

        constant pollution from use of pesticides, oil, and gas leaking into the

        ocean. This is critical for turtles, who rely on coral reefs for almost

        everything. These corals reefs provide them everything necessary to

        survive, without them, the Hawksbill have no food, no home, and no

        chance of survival. When the coral reefs die off, the turtles will too.

 

• Another major impact of the environment on Hawksbills is their specific way development while still in the egg. “Pivotal temperature” comes into play, this is the temperature that varies slightly but ranges between 83-85 degrees Fahrenheit (28-29 degrees Celsius), at which embryos within a nest develop into a mix of males and females (Sea Turtle Conservancy, 2011). Hotter temperatures can produce female turtles, while cooler sands produce males. If temperatures continue to increase globally, more females will be born, thus a gender imbalance will be created. If this occurs, a detrimental impact will be had on the turtles, as reproduction between the turtles will decrease, and the species will eventually die off.

 

• Sea level rise will cause a lack of space for nesting. When the sand is covered in water, and all that is left is developed area, the turtles will have nowhere to turn. This could displace and confuse a lot of turtles, leaving them without a space to lay their eggs.

 

 

• Sea turtles are also victims of trash, especially plastic.

        Many types of marine animals and reptiles confuse plastic

        for algae or small food,and consume it. When this happens,

        animals, such as Hawksbills, will become full, because their

        stomach feels full; yet they are not receiving the nutrients

        necessary to survive. These animals will die a slow death

        from starvation.

 

 

The real message here is, we have a bigger impact than we think.

Due to our unsustainable use of greenhouse gasses and constant trashing on the

planet, we have made this world a heck of a lot dirtier than we found it. This is why it is important to take every step you can to living a sustainable life, in order to ensure the future for these adorable turtles.