Vital to the Oceans

Although they may seem small and unimportant, all these symbiotic relationships are vital to life in the oceans. Not only do they provide food and shelter or a much-needed clean-up for the animals in question, they also ensure that every species has the best possible conditions to survive and reproduce. Symbiotic relationships are found everywhere in the oceans, and are not restricted to the warm, shallow coral reefs.

The kelp forests of the temperate seas are surprisingly diverse, and symbiosis even plays a part in the deep frigid waters of the Arctic and Antarctic.

Since all animals in the end serve as food for others, it’s easy to see how even the slightest disruption could cause a marine ecosystem to go off balance. Every niche is equally important, even if it at first looks insignificant to the human eye. Therefore, we should celebrate the diversity and marvel at the amazing adaptations animals have made through evolution to fit their tiny world perfectly.