Mangroves thrive in tropical coastal areas. Millions of fish feed and breed among their submerged roots. Sea bass and mullet spawn here, while egrets and herons nest and roost in the branches.
Near the shores of temperate lands grow kelp forests - huge algal forms which flourish in places where nutrient - rich cold water wells up from the ocean depths. Kelp forests provide food and habitat for a wide range of marine animals. Sea hares graze on the sea floor and fish such as garibaldi and cabezon swim about much as birds fly round trees.
In rocky temperate coastal areas, sea stars and limpets fight for a foothold, clinging to rocks with hundreds of tubular feet. Mussels shelter in crevices, crabs hide under rocks, and seaweeds grow wherever they can find a hard surface to cling to.
In temperate zones, sea and land often come together in vast mudflats, in which hordes of uniquely adapted species live together between particles of mud and sand, providing a plentiful food supply for moon snails, clams, and crabs. In turn, these creatures serve as food for visiting shorebirds such as curlews, oyster catchers, and avocets.
No sunlight penetrates the ocean deeps and temperatures are largely constant. But every now and then a long crack opens up in the sea bed to release thick plumes of smoke-like gas from an underwater volcano. Bacteria develop in this sulphurous warmth, providing food for giant mussels, sea feathers, and tube worms.
Back to Save Our Seas
|