Sequential overgrazing by green turtles causes archipelago-wide functional extinctions of seagrass meadows

Highlights

Foraging green turtle populations have soared in some part of the Indian Ocean.

Green turtle herbivory reduced seagrass areal extent, fish diversity and carbon capture.

Turtle overgrazing caused archipelago-wide functional declines of seagrass meadows.

Holistic conservation of ecosystem modifiers should account for habitat integrity.