With its steep sides, forested slopes and heavy rainfall, Fiordland has interesting ecosystems both above and below the water. Below the surface of the inner fiords, a variety of sponges, corals, and other filter-feeding animals cling to the cliff-like reefs. Claire Concannon heads to Doubtful Sound with a research team who are habitat-mapping the fiords to better understand what’s there, and how things are changing over time. They are also investigating the resilience of its iconic black corals to local landslides and marine heatwaves.

Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.

Guests:

• Professor James Bell, Victoria University of Wellington
• Miriam Pierotti, Victoria University of Wellington
• Amber Kirk, Victoria University of Wellington 

Learn more:

• Read the article that accompanies this episode: Studying Fiordland's iconic black corals
• Our Changing World visited Professor James Bell at the Coastal Ecology Lab in 2023 to learn more about sponges.
• The 2022 marine heatwave mentioned here led to one of the largest ever recorded sponge mass bleaching events.
• In Antarctica giant glass sponges also live in quite shallow waters, under the sea ice.
• Eva Ramey and Dr Alice Rogers are also involved in a project to study the movement of sharks in Fiordland.
• Professor James Bell has investigated ‘middle’ light zone habitats around Aoteaora. Learn more and check out some videos in his recent article on The Conversation.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details