Sea cucumbers, known as the 'janitors' of the ocean, have been found to be a missing component in maintaining healthy coral reefs. Their removal due to overfishing has led to an increase in coral disease and a decline in biodiversity.
SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2024
Researchers found that bodies with lower BMI had decreased bacterial diversity, while those with higher BMI maintained constant diversity. The study suggests intrinsic factors like disease and medication load may impact microbial life in the surrounding soil.
SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmSphere·TypeObservational study·DateSep 22, 2022
The study found that streams with high detritivore diversity have higher rates of decomposition, but also discovered that the loss of these organisms can slow down this process. The researchers concluded that if detritivores continue to decline, ecosystems will struggle to sustain life due to reduced nutrient recycling.
SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 6, 2021