When you go to a river or a beach, and get in the water, you normally see a beautiful array of marine life. You may see crabs scuttling along, or little snails going at their own pace, or maybe even insect larva. Did you know that these animals, or macrozoobenthos as scientists call them, are in danger? There are as many as 10,000 organisms living in only one sq feet of water, and most of them are insect larva. They help clean the water by eating the leaves and other things that fall in the water. These are the macrozoobenthos, and they are all invertebrates that are visible without the use of a microscope. Researchers have been conducting many experiments to prove this hypothesis. For example they monitored the larva of Calopteryx splendens, a dragonfly, and then they drove a small speedboat along the shore. The waves caused by the speedboat cause the larva to lose its grip on the rock, and it got detached. It had to paddle around helplessly, before it found solid ground. If they stay suspended in the water for a long time they have a risk of being eaten. Also since they spend a lot of energy to fix this, it may result in damaging their growth process. The researchers found that the more complex the habitat was, the less damage would occur. For example, if the shore has many trees, they hold it together so they waves cannot detach the macrozoobenthos. Dense reed belts which can help these animals by breaking the waves, and they are posing as one solution. Research still goes on as scientists collect specimens to see long term effects on the survival of these animals. To protect these animals simple measures can be taken, such as boats going farther away from the shore, or slowing down as they get nearer.
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915083723.htm
By: A.S.
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