From New York to Rome, Tokyo to Marrakech, cities across the world are renowned for their unique and historic architecture. But beneath the waves, marine communities have their own variety of stunning architecture – with one major difference. While our cities and buildings are made of concrete or steel, the ocean’s architecture is alive. This living architecture is the foundation of marine ecosystems called marine animal forests.
What is a marine animal forest?
Marine animal forests are three-dimensional ecosystems formed by animals that live physically attached to or embedded on the sea floor. Examples of animals that can form these forests are corals, sponges, and bivalves. Geographically, they can be found across the globe and in a variety of climates.
Why are marine animal forests important?
Like a city’s architecture and design determine where and how people (and wildlife) live in it, marine animal forests influence the ebb and flow of life in and around them. Because of their 3D structure, marine animal forests provide habitat for other ocean life and influence the flow of water and nutrients around them. Marine animal forests also help to stabilize the seabed, because the animals making up the forest are physically attached to or embedded on the seafloor. And they play a role in climate regulation by storing carbon. These forests can retain carbon from the water column in their structures for an extended period of time, preventing it from entering the atmosphere.
What issues are marine animal forests facing?
One of the biggest issues impacting the health of marine animal forest ecosystems is bottom trawling. Bottom trawling is a destructive fishing practice that involves dragging heavy nets across the seafloor, which can physically destroy marine animal forests. It can also send large amounts of sediment into the water column and make it difficult for filter feeding organisms that make up marine animal forests to eat.
Similarly, deep-sea mining is another practice with potential to harm marine animal forests. Like bottom trawling, deep-sea mining can physically damage organisms and drive up sediment.
Climate change is also impacting marine animal forests. Increased water temperatures and ocean acidification resulting from climate change can bleach marine animal forests, like coral reefs, and can lead to increased disease and illness among marine animal forest systems like sponge gardens.
How can we protect marine animal forests?
By promoting and working towards responsible fishing practices and habitat protection measures, we can protect ecosystems like marine animal forests along with all the benefits that they provide. Oceana is working to create sustainable and responsible fisheries and protect important ocean habitat. Learn more about Oceana’s campaigns today.
