Sea Forests: Corals
Black and stony corals, which inhabit Turkish seas and provide shelter for many marine species, play a critical role in sustaining marine life. However, these valuable organisms face numerous human-induced threats in addition to climate change and pollution, including bycatch, ornamental use, and aquarium exhibitions. Coralligenous habitats, where these marine species live, are considered the second most important ecosystems in the Mediterranean after seagrass meadows.
Having existed in the depths of the seas for tens of thousands of years, corals are known as the ocean’s climate memory. Stony corals are the organisms that form coral reefs, and these reefs are likened to the “forests of the seas.” Hosting 25% of all marine life, corals provide essential shelter, breeding grounds, and feeding areas for thousands of fish and other sea creatures. Like seagrasses, they support a wide variety of invertebrate species. Corals form the backbone of deep-sea ecosystems, offering attachment and hiding spaces for smaller species and playing a vital role in preserving biodiversity.
According to research by the Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV), corals not only contribute to the ocean’s carbon cycle but also serve as carriers of thousands of years of natural accumulation.
About the “Sea Forests: Corals” Project
The project, conducted in cooperation with Türkiye İş Bankası under the motto “The world is ours, the future is ours,” aims to protect endemic black coral (Savalia savaglia) and stony coral (Cladocora caespitosa) species found in the Sea of Marmara and Northern Aegean and particularly around Marmara Island, Gökçeada, and Bozcaada. The project will also collect data on other coral species.
Over the course of three years, the project will:
- Map the distribution of black and stony coral populations using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and scanning sonar, building a scientific foundation.
- Monitor the long-term effects of climate change on these species through comparative analysis.
- Analyse dead coral samples to record climate impacts on corals scientifically.
- Conduct activities to protect the natural habitats of corals.
- Clean regions densely populated by black corals, which are threatened by ghost nets, similar to stony corals.
- Assess the impact of bottom trawling on coralligenous (coral-associated) species communities.
- Engage with fishermen to prevent the illegal harvesting and aquarium trade of corals and raise awareness in cooperation with the fishing community.
The project also plans to hold educational seminars in schools across Istanbul, Tekirdağ, Çanakkale, Bursa, and Balıkesir. Through these efforts, it aims to preserve corals in their natural environments and pass them on to future generations. Stony corals host more than 400 species and are often dislodged by fishing nets, leading to their death. Moreover, coral bleaching among stony corals poses a serious threat to biodiversity, as it results in the loss of associated species.
Over the past 50 years, sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean have increased by an average of 1.5°C, and by 1.6°C in the Northern Aegean. This makes close monitoring of stony coral health critical for the future of marine ecosystems. Stony corals are not only vulnerable to climate change but also to human activities. Colonial stony corals are among the endangered species that are being by-caught in the Mediterranean. Therefore, TUDAV is collaborating with fishing cooperatives in the Northern Aegean to help protect these species. Designated as a fossil species, stony corals have inhabited the Mediterranean for at least 10,000 years and grow slowly, at a rate of just 2 to 5 millimetres per year, making them extremely sensitive. Recognised on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List, stony corals were granted legal protection in Türkiye in 2022 following TUDAV’s recommendations.
