Benthic Ecology

The oceans cover 72% of the earth’s surface. And under every square mile of water there is a square mile of sea floor. The sea floor is a huge place that is mostly unexplored. Benthic ecology studies the organisms that live in, on, and around the sea floor and how they impact the environment. It’s an intricate science that reveals much about marine environments.

Benthic ecology is the study of the entire sea floor. It can be broken down into two forms – shallow water benthic ecology and deep-sea benthic ecology. Shallow water benthic ecology examines things like the effects of pollution on clam species and how water flow affects species distribution. Deep-sea benthic ecology is exploring the organisms that live near thermal vents and the isolated coral communities that live deep in the ocean’s abyss.

There are several big questions that benthic ecology scientists want to answer. Why do some sea floor areas thrive while other areas lack activity? What are the long-term effects of climate change on the sea floor ecosystem? How do invasive species influence the native plants and animals? How does competition change the range of species in an area? How do deep-sea creatures exist in such extreme conditions? These are all fascinating topics that make scientists and underwater enthusiasts giddy with excitement.

Many leading underwater scientific organizations are currently studying benthic ecology. Both the Woods Hole Oceanographic and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center are observing and collecting data on the communities and populations of bottom dwelling species. For over 37 years, leading scientists and representatives have attended the Benthic Ecology Meeting to share new research, findings, and publications.

Benthic ecology research teaches us how nutrients are recycled, how marine food webs exist, what organisms can be beneficial to humans, and what the impact of non-native species does to the ecosystem. It is a significant area of study that needs our focus.

From marshes and wetlands to coral reefs and deep seamounts, benthic ecology is an important science that scientists from around the world study. The sea floor is an active place where organisms live and interact. With proper research and attention, benthic ecology will yield plenty of exciting discoveries in the years to come.