Turtles outlived the dinosaurs and have roamed the Earth for more than 200 million years. But today, these long-lived reptiles are among the most threatened animals on Earth, ahead of birds, mammals, fish and even amphibians. Habitat destruction, overexploitation of these animals as pets, disease and climate change are some of the most serious causes. reasons which led them to this extreme situation throughout the world. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get an original essay In a study published in Bioscience, a team of American scientists offers the first synthesis of the ecological consequences of the continued decline and extinction of turtle species. and shows the different roles each of them contribute to ecosystems, such as maintaining healthy food webs, dispersing seeds, or creating necessary habitats for other species. “Our goal has been to inform the public of the many critical ecological roles that turtles play on a global scale and to raise awareness of the plight of these iconic animals,” says Whit Gibbons, professor emeritus of ecology at the University. of Georgia (United States) and co-author of the study. Turtles contribute to the health of turtles, scientists say. “Their decline could have negative effects on other species, including humans, that may not be visible at present,” says scientist and author Jeffrey Lovich. Principal of the US Geological Survey. on the ecosystemTurtles can be herbivores, omnivores or even carnivores, which is why they play an important role in food chains. Their feeding habits influence the structure of other communities with which they share habitat, especially if populations are very large. The large masses of turtles and their eggs provide food for other animals. On the other hand, some species of turtles may be the primary seed dispersal agents of some plants, as not all seeds are destroyed through the digestive tract. As the Agassiz desert tortoise in the southwestern United States and the Gopher tortoise in the southeastern United States became extinct, some spiders, snakes, amphibians, rabbits, foxes or other reptiles would be "homeless" . These species dig large burrows by moving large mounds of earth which are reused by other animals or plants. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay "The Ecological Significance of Turtles, Particularly Freshwater turtles, are undervalued and generally understudied by ecologists," says Josh Ennen, a researcher at the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute. "The alarming rate disappearance of turtles could profoundly affect the functioning of ecosystems and the structure of biological communities across the world", he concludes.