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Exploring benthic biodiversity patterns and hotspots on European margin slopes
Danovaro, R.; Canals, M.; Gambi, C.; Heussner, S.; Lampadariou, N.; Vanreusel, A. (2009). Exploring benthic biodiversity patterns and hotspots on European margin slopes. Oceanography 22(1): 16-25
In: Oceanography. Oceanography Society: Washington DC. ISSN 1042-8275
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open access 144528 [ download pdf ]
Keywords
    Aquatic communities > Benthos
    Biodiversity
    Deep sea
    Ecosystems
    Environmental factors > Anthropogenic factors
    Hotspot
    Topographic features > Submarine features > Continental shelves
    Trophic relationships
    European Continental Shelf [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Authors  Top 
  • Danovaro, R.
  • Canals, M.
  • Gambi, C.
  • Heussner, S.
  • Lampadariou, N.
  • Vanreusel, A.
Abstract
    There is increasing evidence that continental slope ecosystems represent one of the major repositories of benthic marine biodiversity. The enhanced levels of biodiversity along slopes are hypothesized to be a source of biodiversity for continental shelves and deeper basins. Continental margins are increasingly altered by human activities, but the consequences of these anthropogenic impacts on benthic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are almost completely unknown. Thus, there is an urgent need to gather sufficient information to enable us to understand patterns and drivers of deep sea biodiversity along continental margins. Although the local diversity of some deep open slope ecosystems is moderately well documented, very little is known about the biodiversity of these systems at greater spatial scales. Topographic setting, hydrodynamic forcing, and the biogeochemical characteristics of the deep-sea floor may play key roles in promoting and sustaining high biodiversity along the open slopes of continental margins. HERMES provided the opportunity to acquire a significant volume of information on the biodiversity, trophic conditions, and topographic characteristics of open slopes across European margins, increasing our knowledge of the latitudinal, longitudinal, and bathymetric patterns of benthic biodiversity, and extending our comprehension of the mechanisms driving deep-sea biodiversity and its potential loss. Improved knowledge of these processes is needed to inform policy decisions for promoting sustainable management of open slopes and deep-sea ecosystems along continental margins.
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