This harms sharks, which are already endangered, and their absence from the ecosystem can have serious implications for reefs
Sharks are fleeing their homes on coral reefs as oceans heat up due to the climate crisis, new research reveals.
This harms sharks, which are already endangered, and their absence from the ecosystem could have serious implications for reefs, according to The Guardian. Reef sharks are a key part of the biodiversity and ecosystem, which could face a dangerous imbalance without them.
Scientists categorized and identified more than 120 gray reef sharks living on the remote reefs of the Chagos Archipelago in the central Indian Ocean from 2013 to 2020. As pressure on reefs increases, especially during a period of significant ocean warming due to the El Niño in 2015-2016, sharks spent significantly less time there. In fact, they did not return to their standard residence for over 16 months after this phenomenon.
However, the sharks actually spent more time in some parts of the coral reefs, but they are a minority. These reefs were healthier and more resilient, due to factors such as the elimination of invasive rats and higher bird populations, which help fertilize the reef. The researchers said this showed that increasing the protection of coral reefs from human-caused damage could help sharks remain at home on their reefs.
Sharks are cold-blooded and their body temperature is linked to the temperature of the water. “If it’s very hot, they will need to move,” said Dr David Jacoby, lecturer in zoology at Lancaster University and head of the research programme. “We believe that many are choosing to move offshore, into deeper and colder waters, which is worrying. Some of the sharks were disappearing from the reef entirely for long periods of time.
“Reef sharks are already absent from nearly 20% of the world’s coral reefs, in part due to overfishing, and this new finding suggests that this percentage will increase.”
The effects of shark relocation
Tropical coral reefs are spectacular ecosystems with incredible biodiversity, home to a quarter of all marine fish and are being severely damaged by warming oceans, overfishing and pollution. The vast majority could be lost if global temperatures rise by 2 degrees Celsius, even if commitments from the Paris climate change agreement are met. At least 500 million people rely on coral reefs for food and livelihoods.
The gray reef sharks studied in the research spend most of the day on their reefs, socializing, protecting themselves from larger open-water sharks and eating fish. Most of their feeding is done at night and outside the reef. When they return, their droppings provide nutrients for other reef dwellers.
Source: Skai
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