Shells are calcifications created by a series of organic materials left over from various animals belonging to the crustacean family. This art in the form of survival instinct is truly magical. However, collecting this type of material directly from the beach has taken a toll on the environment. Learn about the risks associated with selling shells around the world.
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These are the reasons shells survive in the wild
Shells are homes for many animals.
From crustaceans to molluscs, shells are home to many organisms that inhabit coastal areas. In this sense, when you pick up a beautiful shell to take and leave as an ornament in your home, the animal loses its habitat.
Some biologists compare this practice to robbing the nests of birds, whose roosts take years to build. Likewise, it takes decades for a crab to find the perfect home, one that is able to protect it from external threats.
The calcination structure prevents soil erosion
As mentioned, the minerals that make up its structure are also bound to the rock, which reduces the risk of erosion. This process means that the rocks on the slopes are stronger and less likely to fall.
Therefore, it preserves the landscape for longer, by avoiding dangerous landslides for those who live on the coast. This is all the more important at a time when climate change is rapidly altering local conditions.
Every shell is important in the marine ecosystem
In many documentaries and photographs it is possible to see crustaceans hiding in aluminum and plastic cans and other waste. Unfortunately, in the absence of shelter, parcels are converted into homes.
However, this image reveals the extent to which humans interfere with the sea’s ecosystem by snapping shells. Remember that the slightest change is detrimental to the quality of life on Earth for all species.
