This PowerPoint was made for a biology class to help inform students on the Georgia Southern campus about the problems and solutions facing sea turtles and the coral reefs.
2. Background Sea Turtles (Chelonioidea)
● Sea turtles have a very long life span. Sea turtles can be estimated to live to
about 80 years.
● There are a total of 7 to 8 different species.
Life Span
● Female Turtle crawl to shore every 2 to 3 years and lay about 100-200 eggs on
the beach coast.
● It take maybe 40-60 days for eggs to hatch, then they are pretty much on their
own
● They spend several years by the shore living on the algae at the top of water
and feeding off of small animals.
● Sea turtles growth is based on the area in which they can get there food.
○ Fun Fact: Only 1 out of 1000 sea turtles are able to reach adulthood which
estimate at about 30 years.
3. Coral Reefs
● Coral Reefs are a very important parts of aquatic ecosystems;
They act as shelter for most fish and turtles and they protect
the coast from harsh waves.
● Among the most biologically diverse ecosystem on Earth
● Coral Reefs form when coral larvae get attached to submerged
rocks or other hard surfaces along the edges of islands and
other coastlines.
● As they grow and expand they take on the characteristics of
fringe, atoll, and barrier.
● Fringe Reefs are the most common that we see and most sea
turtles use these reefs as their homes.
4. Pollution and Sea Turtles
● Sea turtles are vulnerable to ocean pollution at every stage of their life-
from eggs to adults.
● Pollutant Examples: toxic metals, pcb's, petroleum products, agricultural
and industrial runoff of contaminants such as fertilizers, chemicals,
nutrients, and untreated waste
● Exposure to pollution causes disease and can result in death
● Fibropapillomas is a threatful disease to sea turtles that causes
cauliflower-shaped tumors on their internal organs and also external
parts. The cause and transmission of this disease is still unknown, but it is
believed by researchers that it has to do with ocean pollution.
5. Pollution and Sea Turtles (cont.)
● This disease can cause sea turtles to slow down, which allows them to be
more easily preyed upon and hit by boats.
● Fibropapillomas can affect vision and result in blindness.
● Marine debris is man made waste is disposed in bodies of water.
● Turtles can become tangled in marine debris and also mistake it as food
and ingest it.
● “A 2015 study estimated more than 15 trillion (!) pieces of plastic trash are
in the ocean, and growing every year.”
6. Why do Sea Turtles matter?
● They are prey for all stages of animals. They help balance many ocean
food webs
● They help to transport species like small crustaceans, remoras, algae, and
diatoms
● A huge tourist attraction which helps increase economy (aquariums, swim
with sea turtles, etc.)
● Help maintain healthy coral reefs
● Supply high quality nutrients which improves their nesting beaches
7. Pollution and Coral Reefs
● Pollution can obstruct coral growth and reproduction, overall ecological
purpose, and can cause disease and death in many species.
● Majority of coral reef stressors come from land-based sources including
toxicants, nutrients, and sediments.
● "The likelihood of disease increases from 4 percent to 89 percent when
corals are in contact with plastic," researchers report in the journal
Science.
● When plastic is in contact with a coral reef, there is an increased risk of
four diseases.
8. Why do Coral Reefs matter?
● They contain insane biodiversity
● They provide millions of food to humans. Coral reefs house and feed
many fish and marine animals that we eat as humans. Over 1 billion
people depend on food that comes from coral reefs. (Grouper, Cod, Trout,
Shrimp, Crab)
● They protect and create land. They help reduce damage during tsunamis
and storms.
● They might supply natural medicines due to coral reefs’ biodiversity. Lots
of effective drugs come from nature
● Most corals are filters and can improve quality of shore waters
● A huge tourist attraction for divers (increase economy)
9. Animation Video on Coral Reefs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4Dp1Oq08s8
11. Problem One: Beach Pollution
● Beach Pollution an
important problem when
trying to save the lifespan
of turtles.
● Sea turtles use both
marine and terrestrial
habitats.
● Beach pollution includes
run off, trash/debris,
contaminants including
oil, grease, metals,
fertilizer
● Ex. Spring Break, Frat
Beach, weddings, etc.
12. Solution One: Beach Pollution
● Enforce fertilizer bans near
waterways/use natural
fertilizers
● BRING LESS PLASTIC (ex. Red
solo cups). Bring cups like Yetis
that you will remember to grab
before leaving the beach= less
trash
● Do not release balloons as a
celebration! These wind up in
the ocean and sea turtles will
mistake them as food and
ingest them
13. Solution One: Beach Pollution (cont.)
● Find biodegradable solutions
for chemicals. Chemicals and
fertilizers you use in your yard
can wash into coastal waters
● VOLUNTEER! Organize a clean
up day with your friends and
family and discard trash on
beaches
14. Problem Two: Coral Reef Bleaching
● The color of coral comes
from marine algae called
zooxanthellae. When
corals get stressed from
pollution in addition to
heat they expel algae
which leave a skeleton
behind. Corals can starve
without the presence of
zoocanthellae.
15. Problem Two: Coral Reef Bleaching (cont.)
● Coral reefs and pollution
are directly correlated.
● Human caused pollutants
react in the earth's ozone
(CFCs)
● Ocean acidification (the
warm water kills off
healthy algae growing on
the corals)
● Effects of coral bleaching
(breaking, loss of
protection/ nutrients)
16. Solution Two: Coral Reef Bleaching
● Saving the turtles and
coral reefs go hand and
hand. Solutions are very
similar
● Conserve water to
prevent large amounts of
runoff
● Use only ecological and
organic fertilizers
● Plan a clean up day
● Use sunscreen with
chemicals that do not
harm marine life
17. Solution Two: Coral Reef Bleaching (cont.)
● Save energy at work and
home by using more
efficient light bulbs/turn
off lights when they are
not needed
● Reduce industry
production by making
many products at home
● Keep solutions organic
and without harmful
chemicals
● Have energy efficient
appliances
18. SPREAD THE WORD!
Pick up your trash at
the beach and call
out your friends who
do not!
19. Want to get more involved?
● There are many foundations that help
save the sea turtles and coral reefs
○ National Save the Sea Turtle
Foundation
○ Turtle Foundation
○ Sea Turtle Conservancy
○ Coral Restoration Foundation
○ Coral Reef Alliance
○ Planetary Coral Reef Foundation
○ + many more! Look online
