Those mesopredators in turn deplete their prey, and on it goes down the food chain. If we wipe out the big sharks, so the theory goes, we get a boom in the population of the animals they eat - mesopredators like smaller sharks and seals. This in turn stops those animals from depleting resources.Īlthough it likely involves smaller species of reef sharks, a phenomenon known as "grazing halos" nicely demonstrates the predator-prey interaction. The effect here is two-fold: Firstly like the lion, sharks scatter their prey by chasing them, and secondly, even when they're not around the mere threat of sharks limits how far animals will stray from shelter and how long they will stay in one place to feed. Apex predators like sharks create what is called a "landscape of fear". Underwater, sharks have the same effect on their prey - fish, turtles, seals, dolphins and even smaller sharks. We know as soon as the lion springs into action that the antelope will scatter to the winds. If it helps, imagine David Attenborough narrating as a lion hides in long grass waiting to launch its attack. ![]() ![]() Imagine a grassy African plain covered in grazing antelope. ( Supplied: Queensland Museum - Gary Cranitch) ![]() The Great Barrier Reef will become much less diverse in the future according to climate forecasts.
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