WWI-era shipwrecks become ecological oasis
WWI-era shipwrecks in Mallows Bay have become an ecological sanctuary, new drone images reveal.
Why it matters
- Abandoned ships turned into thriving ecosystems.
- Shows ecological resilience and adaptation.
By the numbers
- 147 vessels in the "Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay."
- Study used aerial drones to map shipwrecks.
The big picture
- Human-made structures can become habitats for wildlife.
- Life thrives in unexpected places, even after environmental disruption.
What they're saying
- Experts note that structures attract marine life, similar to other man-made objects.
Caveats
- Initial abandonment of ships was likely environmentally catastrophic.
- Study based on drone images; underwater biodiversity may be even richer.
What’s next
- Further studies to observe ecosystem evolution with climate change.