This often-overlooked sea creature may be quietly protecting the planet's coral reefs
Sea cucumbers benefit staghorn coral by cleaning harmful microbes, pointing to conservation efforts to restore coral health.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read
A recent study found that the presence of sea cucumbers benefits a type of staghorn coral called Acropora pulchra. Researchers discovered that when sea cucumbers were removed from a study patch, the tissue death of the coral significantly increased. Sea cucumbers act as cleaners on the reef, eliminating harmful microbes that can lead to coral disease and mortality. The study suggests that the decline of sea cucumbers over decades, due to overexploitation, has contributed to the deterioration of coral reefs. Researchers hope that conservation efforts such as protecting sea cucumbers could help restore coral health in the face of challenges like ocean warming and pollution.