Research
Effects of Sharks on Seagrass Beds
Sharks protect seagrass beds by consuming fish and other species that feed on seagrass. This allows seagrasses time to regrow and recover. This also helps maintain water clarity and the shelter and food seagrass beds provide for small fish, pupping grounds for sharks and an egg-laying site for fish.
A Shark's Role in the Food Chain
Sharks are keystone species and apex predators. Because of this, they are primarily responsible for keeping the fish populations in balance. They feed on the ill, weak, and dying fish which ultimately helps the fish populations stay healthy and strong. Without sharks, fish populations would spike out of control, potentially spreading disease and depleting the ocean of resources. This also affects the species above and below fish on the food chain which affects the ocean as a whole.
How Sharks Can Help Fight Global Warming
Large predators such as sharks have a huge impact on carbon emissions. The reason for this being larger predators act as carbon sinks and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. When a shark dies, it sinks to the bottom of the ocean and becomes a part of the seafloor, and is stored as carbon. More about this on Science Daily