Sargassum fluitans

Sargassum fluitans is a species of brown algae that typically floats freely in the open ocean, forming large mats. These mats, particularly in the Sargasso Sea, create vital habitats for a diverse range of marine life, earning them comparisons to tropical rainforests. They provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds for numerous species, including fish, crabs, and sea turtles. While beneficial for biodiversity, massive accumulations of Sargassum washing ashore can negatively impact coastal ecosystems and tourism due to decomposition and associated gas release. Recent unusually large blooms, known as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, are thought to be influenced by factors including nutrient runoff and climate change.1