ATLANTA, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Young coral and fish know a crummy neighborhood when they see it, or when they smell it, rather. According to new research, damaged reefs give off distinct smells -- smells that say to a fish, don't set up shop here.
Damaged reefs generally begin with overfishing. When too many fish are removed from a local, seaweed (food for many small fish species) can grow on reefs unchecked. When seaweed takes over it begins to choke out coral. It also gives of a smell that warns fresh coral not to take root there. A damaged reef also colors the surrounding water with a smell that warns fish to keep on swimming. And as a new study by researchers at Georgia Tech suggests, it all combines to create a downward ecological spiral that even strong regulations can't counteract.