At a Glance
- Fish such as Atlantic cod and European eels disturb seabed sediments through behaviors like foraging and burrowing, a bioturbation process affecting nutrient cycling and carbon storage.
- Researchers identified 185 fish species across the UK continental shelf that contribute to sediment reworking, showing their key role in regulating climate through carbon sequestration on the seabed.
- Species with high bioturbation impact, like Atlantic cod and common skate, are vulnerable or critically endangered due to overfishing, threatening sediment dynamics and carbon storage.
- The study emphasizes the ecological importance of preserving fish species, as their activities go beyond economic value and are vital for ecosystem stability.
- Protecting fish contributing to bioturbation is essential for maintaining healthy marine environments and supporting the planet’s ability to regulate atmospheric carbon levels.
Fish play a significant role in shaping the seabed, impacting ocean ecosystems, and the global climate. A new study from the University of Exeter and its partners has discovered that many fish species, including commercially important ones like Atlantic cod, are involved in a process known as “bioturbation.” This process occurs when fish interact with the seabed while foraging, nesting, or burrowing. These activities disturb and rework sediments, influencing ocean nutrient cycling and carbon storage. This research, published in Marine Environmental Research, provides the first comprehensive assessment of fish as bioturbators and their influence on seabed ecosystems.
Bioturbation plays a crucial role in storing organic carbon on the seabed, a process that helps regulate climate by removing carbon dioxide from the water and the atmosphere. The research team examined over 185 fish species across 62 families living on the UK’s continental shelf, identifying those contributing to bioturbation. They found that species like the European eel, Atlantic cod, and common skate are key players in this process, with some contributing significantly to sediment reworking. For example, European eels are burrowers, while cod perform vertical excavations of the seabed.
However, the study also found that many fish with the most significant bioturbation roles are under threat. Atlantic cod, for instance, has been severely overfished and is now classified as vulnerable. This is concerning because the loss of these fish could disrupt sediment reworking and affect carbon storage on the ocean floor. Similarly, species like the common skate are critically endangered due to overfishing. The study underscores the need for better management of these species, as their roles in the ecosystem are far more than just their commercial value.
The findings highlight how essential fish are to ocean health and climate regulation. The study’s authors suggest that understanding the importance of fish in bioturbation could help develop better strategies to protect these species. As we continue to combat climate change, it becomes increasingly clear that the health of marine ecosystems and the protection of key species like fish are crucial in maintaining the balance of the planet’s carbon cycle.
References
- University of Exeter. (2025, April 28). Popularly eaten fish among key seabed engineers, research shows. Phys.Org; University of Exeter. https://phys.org/news/2025-04-popularly-eaten-fish-key-seabed.html
- Fischer, M., Lewis, C. N., Hawkins, J. P., & Roberts, C. M. (2025). A functional assessment of fish as bioturbators and their vulnerability to local extinction. Marine Environmental Research, 107158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107158
