Marine

What are the main marine habitats?

The majority of marine life is concentrated along the continental shelves – the shallow waters surrounding the major land masses. This sunlight- and nutrient-rich environment is perfect for allowing plants and algae to thrive, which in turn support vast food chains – from tiny zooplankton to the mighty blue whale.

Around the tropics, we find coral reefs – one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Despite occupying just 1% of the seabed, coral reefs support more than a quarter of all marine life.

Mangrove forests are another critical marine habitat and are a central area of Fauna & Flora’s marine work. Mangrove habitats are home to numerous coastal and marine species, particularly juvenile fish and aquatic mammals, such as manatees and dolphins. Hailed a blue carbon hero, mangrove trees also support climate change mitigation efforts by sequestering and storing carbon at an incredibly efficient rate. They play an important role in climate adaptation too, forming a crucial two-way natural barrier between the ocean and coastal settlements.