Submerged peat reefs off Mozambique host distinct marine life, study finds

A Scientific Reports study documents submerged peat reefs in Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago, where ancient coastal-forest deposits now form marine habitat. Researchers dated samples to about 300–5,000 years old and found a distinctive marine assemblage compared with nearby coral reefs. Peat contained up to 40% organic carbon by dry weight, but the paper does not estimate a total reef carbon stock; the habitat’s extent and ecological role need further study.