Scientists have discovered 34 underwater meadows. All thanks to one observation
Sea turtles with satellite transmitters have been used in science. The sea DNA researchers locate underwater meadows in the Red Sea.
Researchers from Saudi Arabia have developed a surprisingly simple method for locating meadows of sea grass. These are green turtles, also known as dining turtles (Chelonia Mydas). Scientists took advantage of the fact that they are very picky animals when it comes to food.
Sea turtles invaluable help for scientists
Green turtles feed mainly on sea grass and algae. After installing equipment connecting with the satellite on their shells, 34 previously unknown underwater meadows in the Red Sea were instantly discovered. Thus, the area known to people was increased by sea grass by as much as 13 percent.
Underwater meadows play an important role in capturing and storing carbon dioxide. Together with mangroves and swamps, they are even better than rainforests.
Sea DNA test. Turtles better than sharks
Earlier, scientists from the Bahams used tiger sharks to locate sea grass. However, the population of these predators has significantly decreased. In the same regions, in turn, the number of green turtles is growing, not even mentioning that they are much easier to carry out. Scientists post transmitters on adult female when they lay eggs on the beach.
It turned out that green turtles work about 20 times better in identifying sea grass meadows than the Allen Coral Atlas public database. This second project used high resolution satellite photos.
Another advantage of turtles is the price. The technology posted on aircraft is much more expensive. Although mapping from the air is equally effective, it costs tens of millions of dollars. Turtles can be used for the same purpose for less than a percentage of that sum.
