How do sea cucumbers help clean the seafloor?
Quick Answer
Sea cucumbers feed on organic material in sediment and rework the seabed as they move. In doing so, they recycle nutrients and help keep the ocean floor healthier.
The Full Story
Sea cucumbers are echinoderms that live on the seafloor and often feed by ingesting sediment. As they process the sediment, they extract bits of organic matter and expel cleaner material, which helps recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. This bioturbation can improve sediment quality and influence how nutrients move through coastal and deep-sea habitats. Some species also play important roles in breaking down debris on reefs and soft-bottom habitats. Though they look unusual, sea cucumbers are valuable ecosystem engineers.
Key Facts
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"The ocean’s strange vacuum cleaners on the seafloor."