As each parrotfish consumes over 5 tonnes of reef carbonate per year, this species represents a major bioeroding agent on reefs. On unexploited reefs this bioerosion balances reef growth. This species, however, is highly vulnerable to spearfishing. The researchers found that human activity was negatively correlated with fish bioerosion rates, regardless of local fish biodiversity. High biodiversity does not ensure ecosystem resilience. The loss of just one species may markedly change the nature of coral reef ecosystems.
Ecology Letters