How many metazoan species live in the world’s largest mineral exploration region?

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(12), P. 2383 - 2396.e5

Published: May 25, 2023

The global surge in demand for metals such as cobalt and nickel has created unprecedented interest deep-sea habitats with mineral resources. largest area of activity is a 6 million km

Language: Английский

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A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 7

Published: Nov. 25, 2020

The ocean plays a crucial role in the functioning of Earth System and provision vital goods services. United Nations (UN) declared 2021–2030 as UN Decade Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Roadmap aims to achieve six critical societal outcomes (SOs) by 2030, through pursuit four objectives (Os). It specifically recognizes scarcity biological data deep-sea biomes, challenges global scientific community conduct research advance understanding ecosystems inform sustainable management. In this paper, we map key questions identified academic SOs: (i) What is diversity life deep ocean? (ii) How are populations habitats connected? (iii) living organisms ecosystem function service provision? (iv) do species, communities, respond disturbance? We then consider design global-scale program address these reviewing drivers ecological pattern process. recommend using following criteria stratify survey design: biogeographic region, depth, horizontal distance, substrate type, high low climate hazard, fished/unfished, near/far from sources pollution, licensed/protected industry activities. both spatial temporal surveys, emphasize new collection that prioritizes southern polar latitudes, deeper (> 2000 m) depths, midwater environments. provide guidance on observational, experimental, monitoring needs different benthic pelagic ecosystems. review recent efforts standardize specimen archiving, making “sampling knowledge application” recommendations context program. also comment needs, actions, develop capacity research; inclusivity - accessing indigenous local sharing technologies part such discuss concept ‘ Challenger 150 ,’ highlighting what it could deliver Development Goal 14.

Language: Английский

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Environment, ecology, and potential effectiveness of an area protected from deep-sea mining (Clarion Clipperton Zone, abyssal Pacific)

Progress In Oceanography, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 197, P. 102653 - 102653

Published: July 21, 2021

To protect the range of habitats, species, and ecosystem functions in Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a region interest for deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining Pacific, nine Areas Particular Environmental Interest (APEIs) have been designated by International Seabed Authority (ISA). The APEIs are remote, rarely visited poorly understood. Here we present synthesise all available observations made at APEI-6, most north eastern APEI network, assess its representativity contract areas CCZ. two studied regions APEI-6 variable morphology, typical CCZ, with hills, plains occasional seamounts. seafloor is predominantly covered fine-grained sediments, includes small but abundant nodules, as well exposed bedrock. oceanographic parameters investigated appear broadly similar across although some differences deep-water mass separation were evident between areas. Sediment biogeochemistry area investigated, except oxygen penetration depth, which reached >2 m study sites within deeper than that found UK1 GSR ecology differs from reported TOML-D areas, community composition microbes, macrofauna, xenophyophores metazoan megafauna. Some species shared connectivity appears limited. We show that, information, partially representative exploration to south yet distinctly different several key characteristics. As result, additional may be warranted caution need taken relying on network alone conservation, other management activities required help mitigate impacts

Language: Английский

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Eukaryotic Biodiversity and Spatial Patterns in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone and Other Abyssal Regions: Insights From Sediment DNA and RNA Metabarcoding

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: May 25, 2021

The abyssal seafloor is a mosaic of highly diverse habitats that represent the least known marine ecosystems on Earth. Some regions enriched in natural resources, such as polymetallic nodules Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), attract much interest because their huge commercial potential. Since nodule mining will be destructive, baseline data are necessary to measure its impact benthic communities. Hence, we conducted an environmental DNA and RNA metabarcoding survey CCZ biodiversity targeting microbial meiofaunal eukaryotes component deep-sea benthos. We analyzed two 18S rRNA gene with focus Foraminifera (37F) metazoans (V1V2), sequenced from 310 surface-sediment samples other regions. Our results confirm unknown biodiversity. Over 60% foraminiferal almost third eukaryotic operational taxonomic units (OTUs) could not assigned taxon. Benthic more common than dominated by clades only surveys. most striking uniqueness areas, both datasets being characterized high number OTUs exclusive CCZ, well greater beta diversity compared alpha correlated water depth terrain complexity. Topography was important at local scale, communities stations located depressions heterogeneous those slopes. This result eDNA accumulation, justifying interim use eRNA for accurate biomonitoring descriptions support previous findings consolidate our general understanding ecosystems, but also provide resource inviting further taxon-specific large-scale modeling studies. foresee useful efforts consider small taxa, it must validated based ground truthing or experimental

Language: Английский

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Polymetallic nodules are essential for food-web integrity of a prospective deep-seabed mining area in Pacific abyssal plains

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: June 10, 2021

Abstract Polymetallic nodule fields provide hard substrate for sessile organisms on the abyssal seafloor between 3000 and 6000 m water depth. Deep-seabed mining targets these mineral-rich nodules will likely modify consumer-resource (trophic) substrate-providing (non-trophic) interactions within food web. However, importance of their associated fauna in supporting food-web integrity remains unclear. Here, we use imagery published literature to develop highly-resolved trophic non-trophic interaction webs Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCZ, central Pacific Ocean) Peru Basin (PB, South-East assess how removal may networks. The CCZ web included 1028 compartments connected with 59,793 links PB consisted 342 8044 links. We show that knock-down effects resulted a 17.9% (CCZ) 20.8% (PB) loss all taxa 22.8% 30.6% network Subsequent analysis identified stalked glass sponges living attached as key structural species supported high diversity fauna. conclude polymetallic are critical absence result reduced local benthic biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Bringing seascape ecology to the deep seabed: A review and framework for its application

Limnology and Oceanography, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 67(1), P. 66 - 88

Published: Nov. 15, 2021

Abstract Seascape ecology is an emerging pattern‐oriented and integrative science conceptually linked to landscape ecology. It aims quantify multidimensional spatial structure in the sea reveal its ecological consequences. The seascape approach has made important advances shallow coastal environments, increasing exploration mapping of deep seabed provides opportunities for application ocean. We argue that ecology, with multiscale perspective, can generate new scientific insights at temporal scales relevant ecosystem‐based management. a conceptual operational framework integrates builds on existing benthic habitat research by providing additional concepts, tools techniques (1) complex patterns across multiple scales; (2) link biodiversity processes; (3) provide ecologically meaningful information operationally This review introduces deep‐seabed environments. Research areas are highlighted where advance understanding

Language: Английский

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Heterogeneity on the abyssal plains: A case study in the Bering Sea

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Jan. 24, 2023

The abyssal plains are vast areas without large scale relief that occupy much of the ocean floor. Although long considered relatively featureless, they now known to display substantial biological heterogeneity across different spatial scales. Ecological research in these regions benefits increasingly from non-destructive visual sampling epifaunal organisms with imaging technology. We analysed images ultra-high-definition towed camera transects at depths around 3500 m three stations (100–130 km apart) Bering Sea, ask whether density and distribution visible epifauna indicated any heterogeneity. identified 71 megafaunal taxa, which 24 occurred only one station. Measurements two most abundant faunal elements, holothurian Elpidia minutissima xenophyophores morphotypes (the more common identifiable as Syringammina limosa ), significant differences local densities patchy aggregations were strikingly dissimilar among stations. One station was dominated by xenophyophores, depauperate both target taxa well other megafauna, third . This is an unexpected level variation within comparable a well-mixed oceanic basin, reinforcing emerging view habitats encompass similar scales terrestrial continental realms.

Language: Английский

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Deconstructing the crustacean squat lobster genus

Invertebrate Systematics, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 36(10), P. 926 - 970

Published: Oct. 6, 2022

Unravelling the evolutionary history of taxa requires solid delimitation traits characterising these. This can be challenging especially in groups with a highly complex taxonomy. The squat lobster family Munididae contains more than 450 species distributed among 21 genera, Munida being most speciose (~300 species). Previous phylogenetic studies, based on small part diversity group, have suggested polyphyletic origins for and paraphyly Munididae. Here, we use an integrative approach multi-locus phylogenies (two mitochondrial three nuclear markers) paired 120 morphological characters, to resolve taxonomic relationships within Our study covers ~60% family’s known (over 800 specimens 291 belonging 19 genera collected from Atlantic, Indian Pacific oceans). Using this information, confirm validity proposing new ones cases where genetic analyses are compatible characters. Four well-defined munidid clades were recovered, suggesting that should erected currently recognised (three genus Agononida eleven Munida), Grimothea is resurrected. A key all presented. Molecular clock estimates ancestral biogeographic area reconstructions complement profiles suggest some explosive diversification during Cretaceous Palaeogene. Further anagenetic events narrow sympatry accounting changes distribution indicate limited dispersal capacity previously considered. unravels how may occur deep waters further highlights importance accurately delineating understanding factors driving evolution. ZooBank LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:16A61C4A-8D96-4372-820F-8EBDF179B43C

Language: Английский

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Backward swimming in elongated‐bodied abyssal demersal fishes: Synaphobranchidae, Macrouridae, and Ophidiidae

Journal of Fish Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 8, 2025

Abstract The deep‐sea demersal fish fauna is characterized by a prevalence of elongated‐body forms with long tapering tails. Using baited camera landers at depths 4500–6300 m in the Pacific Ocean, we observed multiple instances backward swimming using reverse undulation slender body four species: cutthroat eel Ilyophis robinsae , abyssal grenadier Coryphaenoides yaquinae and cusk‐eels Bassozetus sp. Barathrites iris . Backward was used as an escape or repositioning maneuver, reversing for up to seven tail beats before resuming forward new direction. I. reversed wave frequency 0.51–0.95 Hz, wavelength 0.6–0.75 length ( L ), large amplitude movements head from side side. C. relatively slowly 0.21–0.52 Hz 0.5–0.7 aided propulsive pectoral fins minimal lateral movement head. ophidiids also waves augmented paddling but some Pectoral‐fin all species were synchrony movements. form enables reversal anguilliform has advantage that automatically returns safety along path recently traveled. This maneuverability conferred elongated may be significant factor selection shape fishes.

Language: Английский

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Do Chemosynthetic and Coral Communities Defy Deep‐Sea Ecological Paradigms?

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 34(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim Broad biodiversity patterns (e.g., the latitudinal diversity gradient) are cornerstones of ecology that fundamental in understanding distribution life on planet. In deep sea, declining faunal abundance/biomass with depth and a mid‐continental slope maximum among most well‐defined patterns. However, they have largely been tested samples sediment communities. Here, we synthesise new biomass, density, data existing from chemosynthetic cold‐water coral (CWC) communities spanning > 3000 m to test validity these paradigmatic hypotheses deep‐sea associated hard substrata. Location Continental northern Gulf Mexico (~200–4000 depth). Time Period Present day. Major Taxa Studied Deep‐sea macrofaunal soft‐sediment hardgrounds CWCs cold seeps). Methods Relationships between abundance versus were Generalised Additive Models. Habitat suitability model outputs used assess changes CWC habitat over depth. Beta partitioning was quantify richness replacement components community turnover Results We did not find support for either or communities; instead, found idiosyncratic high maintained across depths. Main Conclusions Our results suggest seascape‐scale seafloor should be reappraised due consideration geological biogenic heterogeneity. discuss roles localised energy sources, nutrient recycling/retention, species adaptations as potential drivers steady increasing at depths relatively little sinking detrital carbon. major implications management regional global marine biodiversity, evidence chemosynthetic, coral, other hard‐substratum ecosystems widespread throughout ocean increasingly threatened by anthropogenic climate stressors.

Language: Английский

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