Because the world hasn’t been without Hawaiian Monk Seals in 13 million years, it is near impossible to predict how devastating the loss of them would be for Hawaii’s ecosystem, and by saving them we can help to make sure we never find out. If Hawaiian Monk Seals were to go extinct, in addition to the extinction of many important species native to Hawaii, it could potentially disrupt the ecosystem, leaving it irreversibly changed (Muneoka, 2011).
Hawaiian Monk Seals have been in the ocean for over 10 million years, first migrating to Hawaii roughly 3 million years ago (NOAA, 2015). They lived in an ecosystem closely resembling a utopian society perhaps; completely untouched by the human race. But unfortunately, this quickly came to an end when the first Polynesian settlers arrived in 300-600 A.D. (NOAA, 2015). This eventually lead to the Hawaiian Monk Seal population being hunted nearly to extinction during commercial sealing expeditions in the mid-19th century, and other opportunistic hunters further depleted the surviving population during the late 1800s resulting in the population going practically extinct in the early 20th century (Seal Conservation Society, 2011). This left their population functionally extinct meaning their population size is too small to play a significant role in the ecosystem. Fortunately, the species made a minor comeback, enough so to restabilize their size. The Hawaiian Monk Seal has not had the chance to live like the healthy, and thriving species is so much deserves to be. The Hawaiian Monk Seal have every right to live, otherwise known as having an intrinsic value, not only that but they bring a certain spark to the waters of Hawaii. Having this mammal roam the Hawaiian Islands shows their aestheticly pleasing nature. This magnificent species should not be coming to a close, especially when they are one of the rarest mammals in the world, in order to save them for future generations by cherishing their bequest value, durastic measures must be taken (EarthJustice, 2011).
The Hawaiian Monk Seal is a very unique species. They are in fact the only native seal to Hawaii (Kahea-Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance, 2011). Given that they are an endemic species living on a biogeographical island separating themselves from the mainland, resulting in a very specific ecosystem, that caters to the needs of the species within it. So, it is evident enough that it is essential to keep such a treasure of a species on this planet to help maintain these fragile, and one in a million ecosystems. Hawaiian Monk Seals are also considered to be specialist species, since they have a very narrow ecological niche and can only tolerate specific environmental conditions. Therefore, if something such as a natural disaster or climate change were to occur the Hawaiian Monk Seal would have a difficult time recovering. They lack resilience which is the ability recover after a disturbance and continue on living unharmed, and recover with little obstacles.
Since this species is fairly delicate, it plays such a fundamental role in the waters of Hawaii. To add again to their overall diverse nature they are also apart of the Genus Monachus family: the oldest of all existing seal genera, therefore Monk Seals are the oldest species of seals on the planet (NOAA, 2015). It is extremely disheartening when people take advantage of their singularity, by disrupting and invading their fragile habitat. Given the great complexities of ecosystem dynamics and the difficulties associated with studying such a sensitive species, it is easy to jump conclusions, but the stark fact remains that the Monk Seal population lacks genetic diversity. Ergo, the Hawaiian Monk Seals are in dire need of saving, if they were to go extinct the planet would lose an irreplaceable gem, leaving us only with the bittersweet memory of them.
The Hawaiian Monk Seals are natural caretakers, separating them even further from other mammals with their special, and sympathetic traits. Females are found to quite often foster temporarily, or even fully adopt a seal pup. Sometimes after their own pup has died, other female seals with nurse other pups, this is a common exchange between mothers. This occur when the female’s population density is high, hence separated mothers and pups will encounter different potential partners before reuniting with their own (Marine Conservation Institute, 2015). The automatic tendency to look after any pup goes to show that the Hawaiian Monk Seal has an extremely caring and loving nature. Surprisingly their comforting and even approachable nature does not agree with their existance rate. Monk seals appear to be genetically tame, in the sense that they seem to show almost no flight response to humans, nor pay any attention to human presence nearby - so long as they are not being
threatened, approached or interfered with (Seal Conservation Society). Humans, being as curious and invasive as they are, tend to see that as a green light for a closer look. This contributes to the sometimes rash behavior of the Hawaiian Monk Seals, they have always been a very solitary species, but just like any animal, even humans, when provoked can act out. Although, this behavior is different when placed underwater. Monk Seals have one predator: Tiger Sharks. They pose as one the largest threat to their existence. Yes, having predators is essential in the grand scheme of things, however, the Hawaiian Monk Seal population is far too low to have occasional deaths- even from their natural predators.
The Monk Seals are also predators themselves, but in this case they are helping sustain the extraordinary ecosystem Hawaii has to offer, not putting it at risk by threatening other species. By regulating the population of their prey they are helping create a balanced habitat fit for all of the species within it. Without the Monk Seal there would be an irregular amount of certain species, utterly demolishing the overall system of the whole habitat. The extinction of a single species, in this case the Hawaiian Monk Seal, causes backlash of severe displacement. Overpopulation in an ecosystem wrecks the thoroughness of each function in the ecosystem. Every organism is connected, depending on one another for their services. The order of the entire marine ecosystem depends on the survival of the Hawaiian monk seal, tragically.
Role in the Ecosystem
