The Importance of Mussels for the Planet

Abstract

Here is a riddle: it has a soft body, no head, and lives inside two shells, clinging to the rocks in the sea… what kind of animal is it? If you said mussel, you got it! Mussels are constantly working as they filter the seawater in search of food, and filtering makes the water healthier for the other organisms that live there. Along with their role in keeping the environment healthy, mussels are also important for humans—as a source of income for some and a source of food for many. Unfortunately, global warming and human-caused pollution are threatening the lives of mussels and putting the entire ocean environment at risk. There are a few simple things we can all do to protect mussels—but people usually do not take care of things they do not understand, do you agree? So, keep reading to learn about mussels and what you can do to help them!