Species known as marine habitat-forming species — gorgonians, corals, algae, seaweeds, marine phanerogams, etc.– are organisms that help generate and structure the underwater landscapes. These are natural refuges for other species, and provide biomass and complexity to the seabeds. But these key species in marine ecosystems are currently threatened by climate change and other perturbations derived from human activity. Now, a study warns that even in the marine protected areas (MPAs) the genetic diversity of structural species is not protected, although it is essential for the response and adaptation of populations to changes that alter the natural environment.
Click here for original story, Global macrogenetic map of marine habitat-forming species
Source: ScienceDaily