Explore the captivating discovery of vibrant marine animal forests found along the coasts of Wellington, New Zealand, showcasing the region’s incredible biodiversity and the urgent need to protect these fragile ecosystems.
Untwining the Kelp forests
Picture a wonderland beneath the waves — where intricate ecosystems flourish, supporting a myriad of sea creatures. That’s the extraordinary finding of research led by marine biologist Professor James Bell at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
The so-called ‘marine animal forests’ are habitats made of many simple invertebrates: sponges, horse mussels and brachiopods… [the latter are similar to clams] Those habitats are now recognised as biodiversity hotspots and they were discovered tantalisingly close to the heart of New Zealand’s capital, Wellington.
Wellington Harbor is home to animal forests as deep as 15 meters according to researchers Valerio Micaroni, Francesca Strano and colleagues. The unexpected discovery is surprising because it has long been suggested that shallow waters are generally seaweed dominated, but for the first time scientists can see just how diverse life in these near shore environments really is.
Unveiling the Hidden Wonders
The ones discovered by the researchers are animal forests, filled with diverse marine life. The most ubiquitous were sponges, with a physically large species known as the potato sponge( Suberites australiensis) which can reach 40 centimetres in diametre, forming dense sponge beds.
Each of these sponge beds supports a dense assemblage of invertebrate fauna, such as molluscs, ants and even unknown species of sponges. The researchers believe the sponge beds in the port could occupy 120,000 square meters or more and strain anywhere from 500 million to 1 billion liters of water a day.
This filtration is a critically important function in the transfer of nutrients and food from the upper water column to the seafloor – key aspects in influencing water quality as well as supporting marine organisms up through trophic levels. I think the fact this is a vibrant ecosystem which thrives in such shallow waters near a major urban center really speaks volumes about how resilient and adaptive these marine animal forests are. →
Conclusion
The colourful kelp and coral-covered tropical marine animal forests that are a further gem from our Wellington suburban shores. But these delicate ecosystems endure a barrage of challenges, from climate change to fishing, sedimentation and pollution. We need to act now to safeguard these underwater forests before it is too late and we upset the finely-tuned marine food chain. Working with organizations to bring awareness and protect, we can help conserve these incredible ecosystems for generations to enjoy.
