This blog has been glad to report on major new underwater discoveries that reveal hidden secrets of the world’s oceans. Now comes the report that tagged tiger sharks have taken explorers to what is now thought to be the world’s largest seagrass forest.
Of course the tagged tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) were not looking for the grass. They went about their business and researchers found something entirely different. The researchers were using the tagged predators to study the sea bottom. But they did not expect to discover a seagrass forest about 35,000 square miles in size.
“So why were sharks chosen for this groundbreaking research? The answer lies in practicality. Human divers and submarines would have been too costly and time-consuming for such an extensive study. Instead, the researchers saved time and resources while providing valuable data on the ocean floor.” (Link in original)
According to Science News: “A massive survey of the Bahamas Banks — a cluster of underwater plateaus surrounding the Bahama archipelago — reveals 92,000 square kilometers of seagrasses, marine biologist Oliver Shipley and colleagues report November 1 in Nature Communications. That area is roughly equivalent to half the size of Florida.”
92,000 square kilometers is roughly 35,000 square miles.
Seagrass is the main diet of manatees in Florida. In recent years Florida seagrass has been diminishing due to polluted water. Clouded water blocks sunlight leaving the manatees with less to eat. Manatee death rates have risen sharply. This is an example of how important the underwater grasses are to numerous beings.
Manatees, some turtles and urchins eat seagrass directly. Decomposing grass can feed animals farther down the food chain. Fish eat seagrass, too. The beds also provide protection from predators, although the grass can also function as a hunting ground
Another amazing recent discovery has been the finding of a giant Antarctic nesting site for icefish. The 92 square mile hatchery is in the frigid Weddell Sea.
Like the tagged tiger shark discovery, many of the latest findings have bee accidental. Researchers frequently look for one thing and find another.