Defining ecological roles of sharks on coral reefs.

ABSTRACT: Sharks have often been perceived to play a critical role in the dynamics of coral reef ecosystems globally. Yet, there is relatively little evidence to support this idea across all but a limited set of species and contexts. Research on the roles and importance of reef sharks has been complicated by logistical challenges in collecting data on sharks compounded by widespread declines in shark populations and reef state due to anthropogenic stressors. However, a better understanding of ecological roles is essential to uncover when, where, how, and to what degree sharks contribute to the function of coral reefs. To address this lack of understanding, we present a standardized framework for determining the ecological roles of reef sharks, including how different streams of data related to movem

SUBMITTER: Klinard NV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12586300 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature