Turtles have survived the dinosaurs and have populated the Earth for more than 200 million years. But today these long-lived reptiles are among the most endangered animals on Earth, ahead of birds, mammals, fish and even amphibians. The destruction of their habitat, the overexploitation of these animals as pets, diseases and climate change are some of the reasons that have led them to this extreme situation around the world. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In a study published in Bioscience, a team of US scientists offers the first summary of the ecological consequences of the continued decline and extinction of turtle species and shows the various roles each contributes to ecosystems, such as maintaining healthy food webs, disperse seeds or create necessary habitats for other species. “Our aim has been to inform the public of the many essential ecological roles that turtles play on a global scale and to raise public awareness of the plight of these iconic animals,” explains Whit Gibbons, professor emeritus of ecology at the University of Georgia (USA) and co-author of the study. According to scientists, turtles contribute to the health of many environments, including deserts, wetlands, freshwater environments and marine ecosystems. “Their decline could have negative effects on other species, including humans, that may not be visible now,” says Jeffrey Lovich, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist and lead author. Ecosystem Impact Turtles can be herbivorous, omnivorous, or even carnivorous, which is why they play an important role in the food chain. Their feeding habits influence the structure of the other communities with which they share the habitat, especially if the populations are very large. The large masses of turtles and their eggs are food for other animals. On the other hand, some turtle species may be the main seed dispersal agents of some plants, as not all seeds are destroyed by the digestive tract. Furthermore, if tortoises as with the disappearance of Agassiz's desert tortoise in the southwestern United States and the Gopher tortoise in the southeastern United States, some spiders, snakes, amphibians, rabbits, foxes, or other reptiles would have remained" homeless". These species dig large burrows, moving large mounds of earth that are reused by other animals or plants. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay "The ecological importance of turtles, particularly freshwater turtles, is underappreciated and generally understudied by ecologists," says Josh Ennen, a researcher at the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute. "The alarming rate of turtle disappearance could profoundly affect the functioning of ecosystems and the structure of biological communities around the world," he concludes.