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Drones reveal importance of sea cucumber poop in protecting coral reefs
A new way of measuring the volume of poop produced by sea cucumbers has alerted researchers to the essential role these sea creatures play in shaping and keeping the world’s coral reefs healthy.
Remote sensing data obtained from drone and satellite imagery of the Heron Island Reef in Queensland, Australia has been used to better understand the huge volume of sediment passed through holothurians (sea cucumbers).
The new study, published by researchers from Macquarie University, the University of Newcastle and James Cook University, highlights the need for better protection for this often-overlooked sea creature.