Shipwrecks May Be A Reason For Invasive Animals
By Matt J. Weiss, August 21, 2008 @ 02:00 AM (EST)
Source: Plosone.org
The big news this morning regards a study put out by the US Geological Survey which reports that shipwrecks on coral reefs can increase the invasion of harmful alien species. The study, which was done in the Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife refuge, associated the increased abundance of a corallimorpharian Rhodactis howesii to a shipwreck sunk in 1991.
Not only has the populations of R. howesii increased exponentially in the years following the ship sinking, but also that the abundance of the animals decreases with distance from the ship. Similarly, the animal refuged by other man made object, in this case buoys.
We often dive wrecks for their unique photo opportunities and "artificial reefs," but in this case, the wreck may be destroying the natural beauty of the area. Apparently R. howesii has spread so much that its seriously threatening the reefs in the area. Does this phenomena happen elsewhere?
It is still unknown why there is a correlation between the shipwreck and the increased abundance of R. howesii, but its important to understand the relationship of all man made things in the water, to their natural counterparts so we can monitor the wrecks we love to dive and photograph to make sure they are not harming the natural coral reefs.
Not only has the populations of R. howesii increased exponentially in the years following the ship sinking, but also that the abundance of the animals decreases with distance from the ship. Similarly, the animal refuged by other man made object, in this case buoys.
We often dive wrecks for their unique photo opportunities and "artificial reefs," but in this case, the wreck may be destroying the natural beauty of the area. Apparently R. howesii has spread so much that its seriously threatening the reefs in the area. Does this phenomena happen elsewhere?
It is still unknown why there is a correlation between the shipwreck and the increased abundance of R. howesii, but its important to understand the relationship of all man made things in the water, to their natural counterparts so we can monitor the wrecks we love to dive and photograph to make sure they are not harming the natural coral reefs.
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