What happens in the deep?

Beyond the range of conventional diving and above where submersibles normally roam lies a unique habit rarely studied. Exploration of this new world leads to the discovery of a new wealth of biodiversity; upon each exhibition to the deep scientists come back with brand new species never known to science before.

But does seaweed really live 100m below the surface where light barely touches?

Divers Descending to Deep Ledge

NOAA scientific divers descending to 150ft, Pearl and Hermes Atoll, Hawaii

Well yes they do, in fact they can be even more abundant than the neighbouring corals. Carpets of reds and greens, with shoots up to 1m long, bloom throughout this range. Not only that but walls of mushroom-like brown algae and beds of fine green seaweed are amongst the other seaweeds that can be found.

So even in deep waters seaweeds are important players in the marine ecosystem.

And if you ever wondered what it entails to be a seaweed researcher then this is a great example. Here at FunkVeg we use many of the same techniques and can vouch for the completely new level of awkwardness these pesky critters create.

Any seaweed lover should check this out!

Learn more about deep sea algae here

Or watch the whole video here