Bryozoans in climate and ocean acidification research: A reappraisal of an under-used tool

• I review the major biological and ecological characteristics of bryozoans.
• The relevant literature concerning the use of bryozoans as proxies is reviewed.
• Areas in need of attention in bryozoological studies are indicated.
• The potential of bryozoans in OA research is pointed out.
• Future areas of research for bryozoans as climate and OA proxies are indicated.

Bryozoans are colonial animals that are widely distributed in marine benthic environments and play an important role in temperate and cold-water oceanic shelves as habitat providers. Morphologically and mineralogically diverse, bryozoans are important carbonate producers with an extensive fossil record, which makes them good indicators in environmental and (paleo) environmental research. Existing data, though insufficient, suggests that bryozoans can become a valuable tool in investigating present-day climate change. This paper reviews the major characteristics of bryozoans, their function in shallow oceanic areas worldwide, and their potential as proxy organisms in climate and ocean acidification research.