Marine animal forests (MAFs) are benthic ecosystems characterised by biogenic three-dimensional structures formed by suspension feeders such as corals, gorgonians, sponges and bivalves. They comprise highly diversified communities among the most productive in the world's oceans. However, MAFs are in decline due to global and local stressors that threaten the survival and growth of their foundational species and associated biodiversity. Innovative and scalable interventions are needed to address the degradation of MAFs and increase their resilience under global change. Surprisingly, few studies have considered trophic interactions and heterotrophic feeding of MAF suspension feeders as an integral component of MAF conservation. Yet, trophic interactions are important for nutrient cycling, energy flow within the food web, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and MAF stability. This comprehensive review describes trophic interactions at all levels of ecological organisation in tropical, temperate, and cold-water MAFs. It examines the strengths and weaknesses of available tools for estimating the heterotrophic capacities of the foundational species in MAFs. It then discusses the threats that climate change poses to heterotrophic processes. Finally, it presents strategies for improving trophic interactions and heterotrophy, which can help to maintain the health and resilience of MAFs.

中文翻译：

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气候变化时代海洋动物森林的异养

海洋动物森林（MAF）是一种底栖生态系统，其特征是由珊瑚、柳珊瑚、海绵和双壳类等悬浮食性动物形成的生物三维结构。它们由高度多样化的群落组成，是世界海洋中生产力最高的群落。然而，由于全球和当地的压力因素威胁着其基础物种和相关生物多样性的生存和生长，MAF 正在下降。需要采取创新和可扩展的干预措施来解决 MAF 的退化问题并增强其在全球变化下的复原力。令人惊讶的是，很少有研究将 MAF 悬浮饲养者的营养相互作用和异养饲养视为 MAF 保护的一个组成部分。然而，营养相互作用对于营养循环、食物网内的能量流动、生物多样性、碳封存和 MAF 稳定性很重要。这篇综合综述描述了热带、温带和冷水 MAF 生态组织各级的营养相互作用。它检查了用于估计 MAF 中基础物种异养能力的可用工具的优点和缺点。然后讨论了气候变化对异养过程造成的威胁。最后，它提出了改善营养相互作用和异养的策略，这有助于维持 MAF 的健康和恢复力。