How Sharks Keep Oceans Healthy

Unless you recently rewatched the movie Jaws you probably haven't given much thought to sharks.

Recent studies have shown, however, that sharks are a keystone species for the ocean. Keystone species are top predators having an outsize impact on the ecosystem because they help keep the marine habitat under control. Unfortunately, the extinction rate for sharks is rapidly increasing to three-fourths of the population. This rate is mainly due to overfishing, human poaching, rise in global temperatures, and human activity that has harmed natural habitats.

Scientists have had difficulty proving the impact of a loss of a keystone species such as sharks since there are more than 500 different species living all over the world. Also it's hard to research animals underwater. One area in which scientists are able to do research on sharks in a more controlled environment is located off Australia and called the Shark Bay Ecosystem Research Project.

One of their findings was that in a surprising way, sharks are actually improving global conditions by preventing damages due to climate change and natural disasters such as hurricanes. In one case, a huge marine heat wave hit Shark Bay causing 90 percent of the temperate seagrass to blemish. Temperate seagrass is a stable food source for many marine life animals. Not only does it provide food, but it locks greenhouse gasses under water instead of in the air. Marine biologists took the chance to study how shark populations impact seagrass conditions. They found that in areas less populated by sharks, the seagrass went on to die due to other animals eating it away, and in others with a higher population of sharks it thrived.

Sharks are facing extinction on many levels. Nevertheless poaching, overfishing and shark finning are the main causes for the downfall of these animals. Sharks have been shown to be vital to the health of the ocean waters. Whether it is sharks helping other species thrive or helping other species stop from overpopulating, we need them and in many ways they need us.

[Source: National Geographic ]

I never new that sharks keep the ocean healthy. Great work! – Ayelen Flores Ruiz , wright middle school (2022-03-16 15:00)
I never new that sharks keep the ocean healthy. Great work! – Ayelen Flores Ruiz , wright middle school (2022-03-17 12:10)
Nice article Makaya keep up the great work! – Brandon , Madison College (2022-03-17 12:12)
Name

Location

Email

Comment