Oona M. Lönnstedt1,*, Mark I. McCormick1,Douglas P. Chivers2, Maud C.O. Ferrari3. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.12209/abstract

Habitat degradation is threatening reef replenishment by making fish fearless. Fish are beginning to act out due to loss of coral reefs. This article summarizes a study on fish within dying coral reefs. Scientists in Australia controlled this experiment by placing fish in the tested locations, observing their reactions to certain environments. Many fish live within coral reefs. However, due to climate change and increasing ocean temperatures, coral reefs have been dying. When ocean temperatures increase to high the algae is released from the coral; the coral then dies. This is process is called coral bleaching, because the coral becomes white. Fish rely on coral for homing and safety. When coral reefs die fish are stranded searching for homes. The stranded fish are out in the open for predators to easily hunt them. The article’s topic question is: why are fish leaving themselves out in the open to die? The article’s research question is: Is there a correlation between dead coral reefs and rate of dying fish? The type of data to answer these questions is the amount of coral life and fish life within a location. The scientists measured the behaviors of damselfish when placed in locations with live or dying coral. They observed each location for 48 hours. They analyzed the data by comparing the gathered info from the different locations. This research is important, because climate and ocean temperatures are continuing to increase. More coral reefs will die, and more fish will lose their habitats. Fish that rely on coral reefs will become less populated. When a population in a level of the food web is low, it can cause other chain reactions to be decreased. Damage to the food web can danger the existence of specific species.