Troubles at Home

So, now that we know that sharks can be instrumental in the environment they 
are in, it's time to face some bad news. Climate change is hurting the shark 
housing market. Let's look at a few of the reasons why here, shall we?

Picture couresty of Scenic Reflections

Scientists have found that recently coral reefs, and in this study in particular the Great Barrier Reef, have been in a decline. After ruling out many possible reasons for this decline they suggest that this decline is due to CO2 making its way into the water and raising the acidity of it.2 This is quite the problem for the shark community, as the Great Barrier Reef is home to many different species. Many species, such as the Grey Nurse Shark, have a very limited habitat range and require this shrinking habitat to live. You see, these species that live in the coral reefs have grown up with them and have tailored their lifestyles around these reefs. Some species use them as homes and protection from predators. Some predators have learned where to hunt near them. Species are accustomed to diets based around the coral reef ecosystem. So when this reef gets threatened, all species living in or near them feel drastic effects.

Maybe you're thinking to yourself something along the lines of "Well the reef thing isn't going to happen for a while, right?" or "They'll just find a new home outside the corals." or "I wasn't thinking any of those things. Stop trying to read my mind." In response to the first two statements, it's not that simple. A study by Hoegh-Guldberg shows that many corals are already going under due to climate change stressors such as heat stress or water quality loss.3 With the coral reef housing market crash, scientists say that we may have to go to such drastic and incredibly costly measures as creating artificial reefs to keep reef dwellers from becoming homeless.

Luckily, some sharks are able to travel to new habitats when the going gets tough. Unluckily for them, however, having to live in several different habitats often will open them up to new challenges and vulnerabilities they must overcome.4 Some species, such as the black tip reef shark, have been found migrating to new and unexpected places like nearby shorelines or inshore reefs. Sadly, this brings them in contact with species they would not normally have met, such as humans. And if the media's view on sharks tells you anything, increased shark sightings may lead to retaliatory action by humans.

In the end, a changing home climate is doing a number on our poor, misunderstood shark populations. Their homes are falling apart, and even when they try to move they meet many troubles.