<
https://theconversation.com/ever-heard-of-ocean-forests-theyre-larger-than-the-amazon-and-more-productive-than-we-thought-190534>
"Amazon, Borneo, Congo, Daintree. We know the names of many of the world’s
largest or most famous rainforests. And many of us know about the world’s
largest span of forests, the boreal forests stretching from Russia to Canada.
But how many of us could name an underwater forest? Hidden underwater are huge
kelp and seaweed forests, stretching much further than we previously realised.
Few are even named. But their lush canopies are home to huge numbers of marine
species.
Off the coastline of southern Africa lies the Great African Seaforest, while
Australia boasts the Great Southern Reef around its southern reaches. There are
many more vast but unnamed underwater forests all over the world.
Our new research has discovered just how extensive and productive they are. The
world’s ocean forests, we found, cover an area twice the size of India.
These seaweed forests face threats from marine heatwaves and climate change.
But they may also hold part of the answer, with their ability to grow quickly
and sequester carbon."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
