Why the fragile pink sea urchin is a deep-sea recycling champion скачать в хорошем качестве

Why the fragile pink sea urchin is a deep-sea recycling champion

The fragile pink sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus fragilis) is one of the most common neighbors MBARI encounters as we explore our blue backyard. Herds of fragile pink sea urchins roam the seafloor, shaping deep-sea ecosystems through constant foraging, much like wildebeests grazing across African grasslands. These tiny grazers move across the soft sediment, munching on dead kelp and other organic material. With each nibble, they make nutrients and carbon available for other organisms on the seafloor and in the water column above. Upwelling draws cool, nutrient-rich water up from the depths to fuel pulses of productivity near shore, which means that Strongylocentrotus activity benefits coastal ecosystems too. Large gatherings of urchins can even provide refuge for other seafloor animals by creating a place for small fishes and invertebrates to hide or maybe grab a bite to eat. Although they may be more delicate, Strongylocentrotus fragilis are resilient, thriving across a broad depth range. They tolerate a variety of environmental conditions, with some populations living at the very extremes of their oxygen and temperature limits. Will a changing ocean push them over the edge? MBARI researchers are studying how climate change and ocean acidification affect marine life. We have used our advanced technology to study the physiology of fragile pink sea urchins both in the lab and in the ocean. Our research has revealed that the ocean's changing chemistry will further weaken these urchins’ fragile tests, influence their reproductive success, and may even push populations out of their preferred habitats. Learn more about this and other fascinating animals of the deep: https://www.mbari.org/animal/fragile-... Script writer: Megan Bassett Science Advisor: Jim Barry Editor: Ted Blanco Narrator: Raúl Nava Motion Graphics: Madeline Go Production team: Megan Bassett, Larissa Lemon, Raúl Nava, Marike Pinsonneault, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von Thun, Music: “Beautiful Curiosity” by Jon Presstone Publication: Taylor, J.R., C. Lovera, P.J. Whaling, K.R. Buck, E.F. Pane, and J.P. Barry. 2014. Physiological effects of environmental acidification in the deep-sea urchin Strongylocentrotus fragilis. Biogeosciences, 11: 1413–1423. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-1413-2014