A pyramid-shaped "tree-reef" composed of six pear trees. Photo by Erik Hoekendijk / NIOZ.

Reefs made from sunken pear trees

Reefs are vital centres of marine biodiversity. Yet, human activities like overfishing, deep-sea mining, dredging and trawling have led to their significant decline worldwide. Hence, there is an urgent need to implement efficient restoration initiatives to restore biodiversity.

A recent study published in Frontiers in Marine Science reveals an unexpected ally in this mission: fruit trees.

The study, conducted in the Dutch Wadden Sea, involved sinking felled pear trees into the sea to reconstruct reefs and enhance local marine biodiversity. 

Roman shipwreck "Marausa 2" recovered intact off Sicily's coast

In an unprecedented archaeological feat, the shipwreck known as "Marausa 2," which sank off Marausa, Sicily, in the late 3rd century, has been meticulously recovered from the seabed in its entirety. This marks the first instance where a Roman ship has been raised in its complete form, as opposed to being retrieved piece by piece.