These sponges may benefit from increasing ocean acidification. Boring sponges – “boring” means excavating – break down and recycle the calcium carbonate of the reefs. These sponges play a key role in that recycling. And with increasing ocean acidification the calcium carbonate on the reef will be easier for the boring sponge to excavate.
Glass sponge reefs may be suffering. Watch the video below about long-term research on glass sponges.
Warming ocean temperatures and acidification reduce the skeletal strength and filter-feeding capacity of glass sponges, according to new research.
Some sponges are adapting to a warming ocean much better than corals on coral reefs.
