Marine animal forests: bridging science, policy, and local knowledge

Rossi, Sergio; Bramanti, Lorenzo; Costantini, Federica; Dailianis, Thanos; Schubert, Nadine; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/27978

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Authors

Schubert, Nadine

Gerovasileiou, Vasilis

Abstract(s)

Marine Animal Forests (MAFs) are complex, three-dimensional structures formed by benthic animals (e.g., corals, gorgonians, sponges, bivalves, bryozoans) that act as autogenic ecosystem engineers. These organisms create new ecological niches and colonization surfaces, thereby enhancing ecosystem functions and services (Orejas et al., 2022). When the populations of these tree-shaped animals are dense enough, they form true underwater forests that share several analogies with terrestrial forests.