Hawksbill turtles play a positive role in the ecosystem by contributing to marine and coastal food webs and transporting nutrients within the oceans.
Hawksbill turtles play a positive role in the ecosystem and help create habitats. They are important components of healthy coral reef ecosystems.
Like other species of sea turtles, hawksbills contribute to marine and coastal food webs and transport nutrients within the oceans. Oftentimes, they feed on sponges, causing succession to occur in the reef and freeing up space for settlement of other organisms.
At sites where they are primarily spongivorous, hawksbills have been found to support healthy reefs by controlling sponges which would otherwise out-compete reef-building corals for space.
Sources: (Bjorndal & Jackson 2003; Bouchard & Bjorndal, 2000; Edelman, 2004; Hill, 1998; León & Bjorndal 2002; Meylan, 1988; Mortimer & Donnelly, 2008; Turtle Trax, 2005; WWF)
Image: Tchami
