Exploring underwater caves at Calanques National Park
Exploring underwater caves at Calanques National Park
Learn about the marine life in the submerged caves under the Mediterranean Sea at Calanques National Park, France.
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz
Transcript
On the coast of the Mediterranean Sea between Marseille and Cassis, the famous Parc National de Calanques is located. This narrow, steep-walled inlet in the limestone rocks does not only attract tourists but also scientists all year long. Especially the little-explored areas under water attract the attention of specialists. Deep cave systems that are several hundred meters long, still hold many secrets. Even at 20 meters below sea level, scientists make a discovery, a cave full of stalactites and stalagmites. This points out that this area was not permanently covered with water. The environmental conditions in these caves are very similar to those in about 3,000 meters depth. The low temperature and the permanent darkness makes it comfortable for many sea dwellers.
The steep rocky walls are closely overgrown with red corals. To the contrary of the natural aborescent shape, these rather spread flat. That's how they achieve more resistance to bigger waves. Many species of sponges obviously seem to feel comfortable here. As well as their natural enemies, the slugs. In the crevices one can find a very rare sea dweller of these waters, the unicorn shrimp. They are recognizable by their flashed up stripes on their body. This species of shrimp is very sensitive to the variation in temperature of the water. There's a colony of arboreal yellow anemones living close to them. They also seem to enjoy the deep-sea-like surroundings. The steep cliffs of these caves are tightly overgrown with these rare and unique sponges, a well-protected miracle of nature, that still has to offer many surprises for the scientists.
The underwater caves of the Parc National de Calanques are a real blessing for the scientists, because they can explore the natural environment of the deep sea dwellers without expensive equipment or the need of a submarine. The deeper one befalls into the darkness of the caves the more livid the colors get. Well camouflaged by its orange stripes, a squat lobster is attracted by the light of the lamps. These animals live in a close community with anemones and fire corals. The color red looks like black in the dark blue water, and therefore serves as the perfect camouflage. A seldom-find for the scientists - a bear craw fish - a usually very timid animal, which is very hard to find. The depth of the chalky caves allures the scientist to go on. In the darkness of the barely explored maze-like corridors, hide animals that would usually prefer a depth of 3,000 meters, just like this spongecrab. She is permanently foraging for food. The hesitant and slow movements are typical for this species.
The exploration of such caves are only to be accomplished by specialists, because of the constantly tighter-getting corridors and changing circumstances. Scientists can meet typical representatives of the deep sea like the boxer shrimp here. The conditions in these caves of the French Natural Preserve, like the low water temperature or the darkness, are similar to those in the 2,000 meter's depth. The collected samples will be of incalculable value for further research. This may look like a blur of color on the wall, but it is actually a rare sponge called petrobiona massiliana. It belongs to the species of horn sponges and is nearly as hard as a stone. Another unique found, the chondrocladia sponges. This species was first discovered in 1985. So far there is not much discovered about them, except for the fact that these sponges are carnivores.
It is about time to leave the caves of the Parc National de Calanques. The scientists will still need a lot of time to evaluate the results of their investigations. This fragile biotope is under special protection of the state. Certainly there is a lot more to discover.
The steep rocky walls are closely overgrown with red corals. To the contrary of the natural aborescent shape, these rather spread flat. That's how they achieve more resistance to bigger waves. Many species of sponges obviously seem to feel comfortable here. As well as their natural enemies, the slugs. In the crevices one can find a very rare sea dweller of these waters, the unicorn shrimp. They are recognizable by their flashed up stripes on their body. This species of shrimp is very sensitive to the variation in temperature of the water. There's a colony of arboreal yellow anemones living close to them. They also seem to enjoy the deep-sea-like surroundings. The steep cliffs of these caves are tightly overgrown with these rare and unique sponges, a well-protected miracle of nature, that still has to offer many surprises for the scientists.
The underwater caves of the Parc National de Calanques are a real blessing for the scientists, because they can explore the natural environment of the deep sea dwellers without expensive equipment or the need of a submarine. The deeper one befalls into the darkness of the caves the more livid the colors get. Well camouflaged by its orange stripes, a squat lobster is attracted by the light of the lamps. These animals live in a close community with anemones and fire corals. The color red looks like black in the dark blue water, and therefore serves as the perfect camouflage. A seldom-find for the scientists - a bear craw fish - a usually very timid animal, which is very hard to find. The depth of the chalky caves allures the scientist to go on. In the darkness of the barely explored maze-like corridors, hide animals that would usually prefer a depth of 3,000 meters, just like this spongecrab. She is permanently foraging for food. The hesitant and slow movements are typical for this species.
The exploration of such caves are only to be accomplished by specialists, because of the constantly tighter-getting corridors and changing circumstances. Scientists can meet typical representatives of the deep sea like the boxer shrimp here. The conditions in these caves of the French Natural Preserve, like the low water temperature or the darkness, are similar to those in the 2,000 meter's depth. The collected samples will be of incalculable value for further research. This may look like a blur of color on the wall, but it is actually a rare sponge called petrobiona massiliana. It belongs to the species of horn sponges and is nearly as hard as a stone. Another unique found, the chondrocladia sponges. This species was first discovered in 1985. So far there is not much discovered about them, except for the fact that these sponges are carnivores.
It is about time to leave the caves of the Parc National de Calanques. The scientists will still need a lot of time to evaluate the results of their investigations. This fragile biotope is under special protection of the state. Certainly there is a lot more to discover.