Man-made structures such as oil platforms can help protect sea creatures threatened by climate change and habitat loss, a study suggests.
Rigs, shipwrecks and other structures in the North Sea could play a vital role in holding coral populations together and increasing their resilience, researchers say. Their findings suggest artificial structures from the oil and gas industry support a network of densely connected coral ecosystems that spans hundreds of miles and crosses international borders.
The spread of man-made structures in the world’s oceans could negatively impact marine life in many ways, such as helping invasive species spread. They do however have potential to aid conservation efforts, researchers say.
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