Lophelia

Lophelia pertusa, also known as Desmophyllum pertusum, is a cold-water coral species found in the deep ocean. It is a colonial species, meaning it forms large structures called reefs or thickets composed of numerous individual polyps. These reefs provide habitat and refuge for a diverse range of marine life, including fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates, making them important biodiversity hotspots.

Lophelia reefs are found globally, typically at depths ranging from 200 to 1,000 meters, though they can occur in shallower or deeper waters depending on local conditions. They thrive in areas with strong currents that deliver a constant supply of plankton, their primary food source. The coral polyps filter the water to capture this organic matter.

The species is characterized by its white or off-white calcium carbonate skeleton, which is secreted by the polyps. The growth rate of Lophelia is slow, and reefs can take centuries or even millennia to develop. This makes them particularly vulnerable to damage from human activities such as bottom trawling, oil and gas exploration, and climate change.

Threats to Lophelia reefs include physical damage from fishing gear, sedimentation from coastal development, and ocean acidification caused by increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Ocean acidification makes it more difficult for the corals to build and maintain their skeletons, potentially leading to reef degradation and loss of habitat. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these fragile ecosystems, including the establishment of marine protected areas and the regulation of fishing practices in areas where Lophelia reefs are known to exist. The study of Lophelia reefs also provides valuable insights into past climate conditions, as their skeletons preserve chemical signatures that reflect the ocean environment in which they grew.