The importance of sea cucumbers

by Annabelle Styles

Sea cucumbers, scientifically known as Holothuroidea are essential in helping with pollution in the oceans.

However, the population is declining as sea cucumbers are a popular dish in Asia. They are being over-exploited.

In a recent study in Australia, a research team have used drone surveys, satellite imagery as well as observing singular sea cucumbers, estimating how much they excrete.

The sea cucumbers are involved in the nitrogen cycles in the reef ecosystem. Since sea cucumbers eat and then excrete sediment, they release nitrogen, which is needed by coral reefs as well as algae.

0 Comments

About Annabelle

Recently added

Conservation courses at Wildwood

Jacob, one of our sixth form students has embarked on a series of rewilding courses at Wildwood Kent. Read his account of his first day: One of our Big Grazers for Big Landscapes: My visit to the Blean Bison  Back in November I attended a conservation course at...

A Biodegradable project for schools

Introduction: As we live in an ever-changing world and a throwaway society, items are often thrown away with little care or consideration for the environment.  The soil is an important aspect of an ecosystem providing an environment for plants to grow in, by anchoring...

Events

No event found!

More interesting articles