In the IRL, S. cornuta is typically collected from areas where salinity remains above 30 . It is also collected coastally. S. cornuta was most commonly found along the coastline on beach rocks and dead shells. Seagrasses as well as floating macroalgae , provide support for bryozoan colonies. In turn, bryozoans provide habitat for many species of juvenile fishes and their invertebrate prey such as polychaete worms, amphipods and copepods.
Bryozoans are ecologically important in the Indian River Lagoon due to their feeding method.
As suspension feeders, they act as living filters in the marine environment.