When Flowers Aren't Flowers: Meet the Ocean's Ancient Predators
Beneath the turquoise waves of the South China Sea, a mysterious creature dances with the currents—part plant, part predator. The sea lily, a 500-million-year-old marine invertebrate, is turning heads in Journeys in Nature: Amazing Sansha Series Episode 1, revealing how biodiversity thrives in these waters.
Despite their delicate appearance, sea lilies are survival experts. Using feathery arms to snag plankton and microscopic prey, they anchor themselves to coral reefs in waters up to 6,000 meters deep. Marine biologists highlight their role as ecosystem indicators: \"Where sea lilies flourish, marine life follows,\" explains Dr. Li Wei, a researcher quoted in the episode.
A Biodiversity Hotspot Emerges
The South China Sea hosts over 12,000 marine species, with Sansha's coral reefs acting as a natural nursery. Recent surveys show a 15% increase in rare species populations since 2020, attributed to improved conservation efforts. The series underscores how protecting these habitats benefits everything from tiny crown fish to apex predators.
Catch the full episode to witness bioluminescent displays and rare footage of sea lily feeding behavior—a reminder that preserving marine ecosystems is key to Earth's future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
