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DURHAM, N.H. Corals and sponges are important foundations in ocean ecosystems providing structure and habitats that shelter a high number of species like fish, crabs and other creatures, particularly in the seamounts and canyons of the deep sea. Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have discovered that when it comes to climate change not all deep-sea corals and sponges are affected the same and some could be threatened if average ocean temperatures continue to increase in the deep sea of the Northwest Atlantic. These deep-sea corals and sponges are ecologically important because they are foundational species that contribute to the food web and losing them could eventually lower the biodiversity of the deep sea, said Jennifer Dijkstra, a research assistant professor in UNH s Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping.
King crabs could help save threatened coral reefs by keeping excessive seaweed growth under control, a promising new study claims.
Experiments on the Florida Keys showed the Caribbean king crab is better than other species at removing overgrown seaweeds that threaten the reefs, by eating it.
When introduced to experimental plots on coral reefs, the greedy crab species reduced seaweed cover by 50 per cent, the experts found.
If the species could be boosted in the wild, it could help to combat the seaweed – which is spreading quickly due to climate change – and restore coral reefs, which have been projected to completely disappear by the year 2100.