Wildlife Conservation Society study uncovers a predictable sequence toward coral reef collapse

Coral reefs that have lots of corals and appear healthy may, in fact, be heading toward collapse, according to a study published by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Using data from coral reef systems across the western Indian Ocean, an international team of researchers identified how overfishing creates a series of at least eight big changes on reefs that precipitate a final collapse. The study shows that in well-protected areas, there are typically 1000-1500 kilograms of reef fish of various species. As the volume is fished down below 1000 kilograms, the early warning signslike increased seaweed growth and urchin activitybegin to appear. The authors recommend measuring the biomass of fish instead of coral cover to identify the early warning rather than the final sign of reef collapse. To me this was pretty wierd because i thought that animal populations when down when enviornments were destroyed but her we have an example that shows that if animal pupulation goes down than the enviornment suffers too.