Gourmets would lose the opportunity to enjoy salmon rillettes, but this is just a small part of the consequences.
Few can imagine how much fish inhabit the ocean, even approximately. However, scientists can draw conclusions about what would happen if all the fish disappeared in an instant. One such hypothesis was shared by Corey Evans, an assistant professor of biological sciences at Rice University — a researcher studying fish diversity and their impact on the ocean environment.
In an article published in The Conversation, the scientist emphasizes that fish act as both predators and prey. They hunt each other but can also become food for reptiles, birds, humans, and other participants in the food chain. Additionally, fish have a positive impact even on plants. For example, studies show that some plants receive up to 70% of their nitrogen from salmon dying on riverbanks.
Corey Evans also notes that fish are not just a source of food. Since fish hunt for their own food, they create and maintain important conditions for the survival of other organisms. In coral reef ecosystems, herbivorous fish control algae growth by constantly eating them. As a result, without these fish, algae would begin to grow rapidly, leading to the destruction of corals.
There are also fish that feed on corals, such as parrotfish. However, according to the scientist, nature has balanced this, and thanks to parrotfish, coral colonies grow faster, partly because their feces are nutritious for corals.
Speaking of parrotfish feces, Corey Evans claims that they contribute to the formation of beautiful white sand beaches. So, without these feces, how would we enjoy our time on the shore?
Meanwhile, other fish create habitats for various animals and influence the environment by stirring up sand while feeding. This causes microorganisms hidden in the sand to rise into the water, becoming food for other ocean dwellers.
Thus, the scientist concludes, without fish, Earth would be completely different:
it would gradually lose its beautiful white sand beaches;
coral reef ecosystems would become overgrown with algae;
many people would be left without food;
and we would lose the amazing inhabitants of this planet.
