Marine Animal Forests as Carbon Immobilizers or Why We Should Preserve These Three-Dimensional Alive Structures

Marine ecosystems continue to be transformed by human activities. Among them, benthic ecosystems are perhaps one of the most affected, because of bottom trawling, urban or agricultural development, climate change, and other stressors. Benthic communities that are dominated by structuring species, the marine animal forests (MAF), are among the most threatened ecosystems. MAFs are generally composed of benthic suspension feeders (e.g., sponges, corals) that form living three-dimensional structures. Besides the paramount structuring role these communities play, MAF also acts as carbon immobilizers. Estimates of carbon amount retained by terrestrial forests, seagrasses, mangroves, crops, and soils are available; however, there is scarce information on the amount of carbon retained by MAF. Here, we address the potential role of MAF as carbon immobilizers, highlighting the importance of their preservation and active restoration.