![crown of thorns sea stars thrive in degraded coral habitats](https://utterbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/crown-of-thorns-sea-stars-thrive-in-degraded-coral-habitats-640x439.jpg)
A new theory explains how juvenile crown-of-thorns sea stars (commonly known as starfish) can destabilize coral reefs. The ‘degraded reef framework’ explains how the loss of live coral, which crown-of-thorns starfish feed off, paradoxically benefits juvenile COTS. As live coral diminishes, these starfish accumulate in rubble habitats, which serve as juvenile nurseries.