The Importance of Sharks
The Importance of Sharks
In the Ecosystem
As apex predators, sharks play an important role in the ecosystem by maintaining the species below them in the food chain and serving as an indicator for ocean health. By regulating prey populations, sharks indirectly help with maintaining species diversity.
As predators, sharks indirectly maintain seagrass, kelp forest, and coral reef habitats by keeping mid-level predator populations in check, which in turn regulate herbivorous fishes. The loss of sharks can lead to environmental disturbances in different habitats. By taking sharks out of the coral reef ecosystem, the larger predatory fish, such as groupers, increase in abundance and feed on the herbivores. With less herbivores, macroalgae expands and coral can no longer compete, shifting the ecosystem to one of algae dominance, affecting the survival of the reef system.
Oceana released a report in July 2010, The Beauty of the Beast, with more information about these creatures. You can also check out our Guide to European elasmobranches.
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