A new study done by scientists from Oregon State University and the University of Washington, have come up with the findings that there are lot of similarities between marine and terrestrial ecosystems when it comes to predator prey relationship.
The study examined the interactions between wolves and elk in the United States, and sharks and dugongs in Australia.
When sharks are abundant, dugongs graze less in shallow water where they are most vulnerable to sharks. In this process they sacrifice food they might otherwise consume. This allows the seagrass meadows to thrive, with ripple effects on a range of other plant and marine animal species. This is akin to the presence of wolves in Yellowstone which alters the behavior of Elk constantly, as they try to avoid encounters. The elk graze less in sensitive habitats, which is helping streamside shrubs and aspen trees to recover.
Scientists say a more frequent information exchange between terrestrial and marine ecologists could provide additional insights into ecosystem function.
Details of the study appear in the latest issue of journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment.
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