Course ePortfolio

The new analysis highlights underappreciated dimensions of modern coral reef degradation, said Lueders-Dumont, of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences’ Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Lab.

Pedagogical Approach

Compared to “pristine” coral reef ecosystems from time periods before widespread human impacts, today’s Caribbean coral reefs host food chains that are 60-70 percent shorter and fishes that are 20-70 percent less functionally diverse, the study found.

Learning Outcomes

We discovered that on healthier Caribbean reefs, fish communities drew on a wider variety of food sources,” she said. “On degraded reefs, diets have become homogenized—different fish are increasingly eating the same limited set of resources. In the past, individual fish could afford to be choosy; today many are left with whatever is available. It’s like going from a vibrant neighborhood of restaurants to a single, stripped-down menu.”

Assessment

Compared to “pristine” coral reef ecosystems from time periods before widespread human impacts, today’s Caribbean coral reefs host food chains that are 60-70 percent shorter and fishes that are 20-70 percent less functionally diverse, the study found.

Other Information

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