The study revealed that extensive oyster reefs once covered at least 1.7 million hectares across Europe, creating complex ecosystems and supporting diverse marine life.
Ruth Thurstan expressed astonishment at the discovery, stating, 'To find information that evidenced such coverage of reefs amazed me,' highlighting the significant historical loss.
Researchers found that these reefs provided habitats for nearly 200 fish and crustacean species, underscoring their ecological importance before being diminished by human activity.
The historical records indicated that oyster reefs reached impressive heights and spanned large areas, challenging the modern perception of the seafloor as merely flat.
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