Story thread · 3 reports / 3 sources

Rats drove out seabirds, reshaping an entire reef food chain

timesofindia.indiatimes.com · 11dShare

Tropical islands are facing a surprising ecological shift as invasive rats disrupt the balance of coral reef ecosystems. By decimating seabird numbers, these rats cut down on essential nutrient contributions to the reefs. As a result, tiny cryptobenthic fish flourish in nutrient-rich spots, while invertebrates find success in less fertile regions, reshaping the food web and highlighting the vulnerable nature of these priceless underwater habitats.

First report: An island has been waging a war on rats. They think they’ve finally won — newscientist.com, 14d