Phylum - Porifera

Sponge

A Seagrass Meadow filter feeder that pumps water through its body, trapping bacteria, plankton, and fine organic particles while adding living structure to the benthic habitat.

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Identity & Origin +

Common Name: Sponge
Scientific Name: Phylum - Porifera
Realm: Saltwater
Biome: Seagrass Meadow

Population Dynamics +

Current Estimated Population: No current active population confirmed in the reviewed public-graph evidence.
Population Status: Uncertain
Date Last Observed: January 22, 2025

Section Notes

The sponge layer was added, acclimated, and later declined under changing algae and water-column conditions. It remains useful as a historical filter-feeder node, but the reviewed evidence does not confirm a stable current population.

Trophic Ecology +

Trophic Level: Primary Consumer
Feeding Niche / Method: Filter feeder of bacteria and detritus
Dietary Inputs: Phytoplankton, suspended microbes, and fine organic particles

Section Notes

Trophic classification is Primary Consumer. Food-web role: Filter-feeding plankton consumer. Feeding method: Filter feeder of bacteria and detritus. Dietary inputs: Phytoplankton, suspended microbes, and fine organic particles

Environmental Tolerances +

Life Cycle & Reproduction +

Ecological Role & Symbiosis +

Marine/Saltwater

A marine meadow where seagrasses, macroalgae, grazers, filter feeders, worms, crabs, and small invertebrates compete over light, nutrients, and detritus.

Sponge

Visual Data Unavailable

Section Notes

Section Notes

Classification Pending

Biomes This Species Lives In

Seagrass Meadow

Microalgae Takes Over After Sponge Decline

Sponge Shows a Possible Survival Point as Oysters Hold

Manual Algae Removal Protects the Sponge

Turbo Snails Lag While the Sponge Grows

Turbo Snails Added to Push Algae Back Toward Balance

Shore Crabs Considered for Algae Control

Night Observation Reveals Jellyfish, Sponge Flow, and Crab Zoea

Trophic Cascade Turns Clear Water Into Macroalgae Growth

Acclimated Sponge Begins Filtering and Hosting Crabs

Oyster Plan Follows Sponge Decline

Plankton Supports the Unfiltered Saltwater Food Web

Marine Ecosystem: Sponges Added!

Diversity Stocking Adds Algae and Sponges

Sponge

Visual Data Unavailable

Biomes This Species Lives In

Microalgae Takes Over After Sponge Decline

Sponge Shows a Possible Survival Point as Oysters Hold

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