<p>Shipwrecks have become key components of seafloor landscapes, acting as artificial reefs that host a wide range of marine organisms. Their physical structures provide complex habitats, yet their influence extends beyond space occupation, encompassing interactions between material composition, corrosion processes, and biological colonization. This work examines the ecological and functional roles of shipwrecks as context-dependent systems that filter and shape species assemblages, trophic dynamics, and microbiological communities. A representative body of evidence suggests that shipwrecks can enhance local biodiversity but also generate selective environments influenced by metal leaching and microhabitat heterogeneity. Such conditions may favor organisms with adaptive capacities to tolerate oxidative stress, anoxia, and toxic elements. Recognizing this dual role—biodiversity promotion and environmental filtering—broadens our understanding of shipwrecks as ecological features rather than static artificial reefs. This perspective highlights the need to integrate microbiological, chemical, and ecological approaches to evaluate the long-term contribution of shipwrecks to marine ecosystem diversity and resilience.</p>