250-300words summary of focused topic
Because this species relies on coral reefs for sustenance, the two are interdependent in terms of survival. In a coral reef ecosystem, hawksbill turtles feed mainly on invasive sponges; this keeps populations down which allows the reef to thrive. If sponge populations were to go unregulated, they would likely overpopulate growing coral reefs (Leon and Bjorndal 2002). Additionally, this allows for other species to inhabit coral reefs. Hawksbills receive most, if not all, of their food from coral reefs, which is why their connection to these ecosystems is arguably more important than other species of sea turtles (Becker et al. 2019). Coral reefs are especially critical to younger hawksbill turtles for foraging and subsistence purposes; in relation to overall hawksbill populations, juveniles and subadults have been observed spending the most time in and around coral reefs (Becker et al. 2019, Figure). A study of juvenile hawksbills in the Caribbean concluded that roughly 67% of their diet comprised of sponges (Leon and Bjorndal 2002). Hawksbills are omnivores; in addition to sponges, they feed on reef-dwelling fish, crustaceans, and algae (Horrocks et al 2011). Threats to coral reefs include climate change and overfishing, which emphasizes how interconnected hawksbills and reefs are; without them, hawksbills would not have access to an abundant food source.
Becker, Sarah L., Russell E. Brainard, and Kyle Van Houtan S. "Densities and Drivers of Sea Turtle Populations Across Pacific Coral Reef Ecosystems." PLoS One, vol. 14, no. 4, 2019. ProQuest, https://search.proquest.com/docview/2214461048?accountid=14784, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214972.
Horrocks, Julia A., et al. "International Movements of Adult Female Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys Imbricata): First Results from the Caribbean's Marine Turtle Tagging Centre." Chelonian Conservation and Biology, vol. 10, no. 1, 2011, pp. 18-25. ProQuest, https://search.proquest.com/docview/884332777?accountid=14784.
León, Yolanda M., and Karen A. Bjorndal. “Selective Feeding in the Hawksbill Turtle, an Important Predator in Coral Reef Ecosystems.” Marine Ecology Progress Series, vol. 245, 2002, pp. 249–258. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/24866409. Accessed 3 Feb. 2020.
Figure. Young hawksbills were found mostly at Palmyra and Kingman, which are ecosystems that are dominated by coral reefs (Becker et al 2019).