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ReefLink Database

Sea Turtles

Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are any of various large turtles with limbs modified into flippers.

CMap

The Reef Ecosystem includes a suite of abiotic variables that form the physical and chemical environment. Plankton are any plants or animals that are too small to actively move against ocean currents. Pressures are human activities that create stress on the environment. Aesthetic & recreational value pertains to the value derived from the visual beauty and recreational opportunities provided by a natural ecosystem, including an assemblage of diverse, healthy, colorful, or unique species. The state of the Reef Ecosystem is the condition, in terms of quantity and quality, of the abiotic and biotic components including physical, chemical, and biological variables. Reef Habitat is the abundance, distribution, and condition of the benthic components of the reef ecosystem. Reef Inhabitants are all of the motile components of the reef ecosystem, including fish, invertebrates, marine reptiles and mammals, and are quantified by their abundance, distribution, and condition. Reef Life is the abundance, distribution, and condition of the biological components of the coral reef ecosystem. Responses are actions taken by groups or individuals in society and government to prevent, compensate, ameliorate or adapt to changes in Ecosystem Services or their perceived value. Sea turtles are any of various large turtles with limbs modified into flippers. Seagrasses are flowering plants that grow in marine, fully-saline environments. Socio-Economic Drivers include the sectors that fulfill human needs for Food & Raw Materials, Water, Shelter, Health, Culture, and Security, and the Infrastructure that supports the sectors. Sponges are sessile colonial animals with soft porous bodies supported by a fibrous skeletal framework. Wetland and reef restoration are activities to directly improve, reestablish, or repair degraded ecosystems. A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with moisture either permanently or seasonally. Whales & Dolphins are marine mammals of the order cetacea Whales & Dolphins are marine mammals of the order cetacea Accidental by-catch is damage or harvest of non-target species, including fish or marine vertebrates, by fishing gear while collecting targeted species. Biocriteria are narrative expressions or numeric values that describe the biological condition (structure and function) of aquatic communities inhabiting waters of a designated aquatic life use. Biological Harvest is the collection of living things from the ecosystem for recreation, consumption, or sale of marine products. Biological monitoring is the use of a biological entity as a detector and its response as a measure to determine environmental conditions. Biological monitoring, mapping, and scientific research are activities to track the condition of populations, communities, and habitat, and to understand the processes, stressors, and ecological interactions that affect that condition. Cultural services are the nonmaterial benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, recreational opportunities, aesthetic experiences, sense of place, and educational and research opportunities. Designating protected species is the process of legally establishing a species as threatened, endangered, or of special concern, often requiring that critical habitat must be designated as well and recovery plans implemented. Discharges are the intentional or unintentional distribution of chemicals, debris, or other pollution, into the environment as a consequence of human activities. Ecosystem monitoring and restoration refers to responses to directly alter the condition of the reef ecosystem through restoration or remediation activities, setting limits on degradation through biological criteria or water quality criteria, or improving knowledge through monitoring, mapping, and scientific research. Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems . Educational & Research Opportunities pertain to the value derived from a natural ecosystem in regards to knowledge, scientific research, study, and breakthroughs, and the ability to pass this knowledge on to others. Existence value is the economic value or meaning humans place in a particular area, resource or organism simply for existing, separate from any derived use value. Fish are cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates that breathe through gills and usually have scales. An Invertebrate is any animal that lacks a backbone. Landscape Changes are alterations of the natural landscape through human activities, including coastal development, shoreline armoring, impervious surfaces, deforestation, or soil disturbance, which can alter water flow patterns and lead to pollutant runoff into coastal systems. Marine birds are birds that live near, and depend on the ocean environment Marine vertebrates are aquatic animals with a backbone, such as sea turtles, whales, dolphins and marine birds. Microorganisms are microscopic plants or animals, such as cyanobacteria and disease-causing pathogens that live in coral reef ecosystems.

CMap Description

Sea turtles are most notable for their contribution to aesthetic & recreational value; but are also significant contributors to existence value, sense of place, and the educational & research value of coral reef ecosystems. Sea turtles consume invertebrates, especially jellyfish and sponges. They also render a critical service of maintaining wetland environments; sea turtle grazing encourages seagrass beds to grow laterally, ultimately creating more habitat & resources for themselves and other species. Disease-causing microorganisms, and a disturbed physical & chemical environment will stress or kill sea turtles. Accidental & illegal harvest, caused by socio-economic drivers, also removes sea turtles and reduces the ecosystem services they provide. Biological monitoring & restoration is essential in identifying changes in the abundance and condition of sea turtles; as well as determining appropriate responses to maintain the supply of ecosystem services and ensure the benefits to human health and well-being.

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