When reefs go quiet, fish lose shelter: Study shows

London : The famous quote ‘Truth hurts but silence kills’ fits the coral reefs world which is suffering damage due to global warming. A research suggests that a deep silence is descending on coral world which is impairing the ability of young fish to find their noisy home amidst the reefs.

Coral reefs are the base of underwater ecosystems which are built by colonies of tiny animals found in marine water. The colonies are noisy places filled with chattering of numerous fish and crustaceans.

But a study conducted on the Great Barrier Reef concludes that the “coral orchestra” has been quietened in those areas which are affected by cyclones and bleaching agents. Scientists found that fish born outside the reef colonies face hard time to find suitable place to live and breed.

Lead scientist Tim Gordon, a marine biologist at the University of Exeter in the UK, said: “It’s heart-breaking to hear. The usual pops, chirps, snaps and chatters of countless fish and invertebrates have disappeared.

Experiments highlighted that the soundscapes of damaged reefs attracted 40% less juvenile fish than those of healthy reefs. Therefore, the loss of reef fish could have “devastating” consequences, warn the researchers.

Bleaching occurs when sea water becomes too warm, causing corals to force out the algae living in their tissues and turning them white.

Experts say that under normal conditions the algae provide nutrients to the coral essential for photosynthesis. Without them, the coral will have no nutrition supply.

In some parts of the Great Barrier Reef 80% of corals have been killed by bleaching. Scientists say there is a direct connection between more frequent coral bleaching events and global warming.

Research co-author Harry Harding, from the University of Bristol, said: “If fish aren’t hearing their way home anymore, that could be bad news for the recovery prospects of reefs”.