76 research outputs found

    Area-based management tools to protect unique hydrothermal vents from harmful effects from deep-sea mining: A review of ongoing developments

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    The deep seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction, or what is referred to as “the Area,” is the common heritage of humankind, safeguarded by mandating the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to protect the marine environment and to regulate all mining-related activities on the seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction. So far, the ISA has 7 contracts for polymetallic sulfide (PMS) exploration. PMS deposits are located at and near deep-sea hydrothermal vents, one of the most remarkable ecosystems on Earth. Where hot and mineral rich vent fluids escape from the earth's crusts, minerals precipitate and are deposited, and unique biomass rich microbial and animal communities are thriving. Several intergovernmental organizations suggest that active vents classify as areas in need of conservation. The ISA is currently developing regional environmental plans for PMS and has set some first steps to protect active vents from mining impacts. We review the current regulatory and policy framework for deep-sea spatial management, and set it into the environmental context. We conclude that all current management measures of the ISA would not be suited to protect the marine environment from harmful mining impact. We recognize that ISA's area-based management tools are under development, and suggest that improvements can be achieved by studying and recognizing the ecological attributes of ecosystems and their connectivity, as well as governance connectivity, taking into account area-based management tools of different users in the same area

    Advances in Taxonomy, Ecology, and Biogeography of Dirivultidae (Copepoda) Associated with Chemosynthetic Environments in the Deep Sea

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    Background: Copepoda is one of the most prominent higher taxa with almost 80 described species at deep-sea hydrothermal vents. The unique copepod family Dirivultidae with currently 50 described species is the most species rich invertebrate family at hydrothermal vents. Methodology/Principal Findings: We reviewed the literature of Dirivultidae and provide a complete key to species, and map geographical and habitat specific distribution. In addition we discuss the ecology and origin of this family. Conclusions/Significance: Dirivultidae are only present at deep-sea hydrothermal vents and along the axial summit trough of midocean ridges, with the exception of Dirivultus dentaneus found associated with Lamellibrachia species at 1125 m depth off southern California. To our current knowledge Dirivultidae are unknown from shallow-water vents, seeps, whale falls, and wood falls. They are a prominent part of all communities at vents and in certain habitat types (like sulfide chimneys colonized by pompei worms) they are the most abundant animals. They are free-living on hard substrate, mostly found in aggregations of various foundation species (e. g. alvinellids, vestimentiferans, and bivalves). Most dirivultid species colonize more than one habitat type. Dirivultids have a world-wide distribution, but most genera and species are endemic to a single biogeographic region. Their origin is unclear yet, but immigration from other deep-sea chemosynthetic habitats (stepping stone hypothesis) or from the deep-sea sediments seems unlikely, since Dirivultidae are unknown from these environments. Dirivultidae is the most species rich family and thus can be considered the most successful taxon at deep-sea vents

    Animal community dynamics at senescent and active vents at the 9° N East Pacific Rise after a volcanic eruption

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    © The Author(s), 2020. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Gollner, S., Govenar, B., Arbizu, P. M., Mullineaux, L. S., Mills, S., Le Bris, N., Weinbauer, M., Shank, T. M., & Bright, M. Animal community dynamics at senescent and active vents at the 9° N East Pacific Rise after a volcanic eruption. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6, (2020): 832, doi:10.3389/fmars.2019.00832.In 2005/2006, a major volcanic eruption buried faunal communities over a large area of the 9°N East Pacific Rise (EPR) vent field. In late 2006, we initiated colonization studies at several types of post eruption vent communities including those that either survived the eruption, re-established after the eruption, or arisen at new sites. Some of these vents were active whereas others appeared senescent. Although the spatial scale of non-paved (surviving) vent communities was small (several m2 compared to several km2 of total paved area), the remnant individuals at surviving active and senescent vent sites may be important for recolonization. A total of 46 meio- and macrofauna species were encountered at non-paved areas with 33 of those species detected were also present at new sites in 2006. The animals living at non-paved areas represent refuge populations that could act as source populations for new vent sites directly after disturbance. Remnants may be especially important for the meiofauna, where many taxa have limited or no larval dispersal. Meiofauna may reach new vent sites predominantly via migration from local refuge areas, where a reproductive and abundant meiofauna is thriving. These findings are important to consider in any potential future deep-sea mining scenario at deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Within our 4-year study period, we regularly observed vent habitats with tubeworm assemblages that became senescent and died, as vent fluid emissions locally stopped at patches within active vent sites. Senescent vents harbored a species rich mix of typical vent species as well as rare yet undescribed species. The senescent vents contributed significantly to diversity at the 9°N EPR with 55 macrofaunal species (11 singletons) and 74 meiofaunal species (19 singletons). Of these 129 species associated with senescent vents, 60 have not been reported from active vents. Tubeworms and other vent megafauna not only act as foundation species when alive but provide habitat also when dead, sustaining abundant and diverse small sized fauna.We received funding from the Austrian FWF (GrantP20190-B17; MB), the U.S. National Science Foundation (OCE-0424953; to LM, D. McGillicuddy, A. Thurnherr, J. Ledwell, and W. Lavelle; and OCE-1356738 to LM), and the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under the MIDAS project, Grant Agreement No. 603418. Ifremer and CNRS (France) supported NL cruise participation and sensor developments. BG was supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from the Deep Ocean Exploration Institute at WHOI (United States). TS was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (OCE-0327261 to TS and OCE-0937395 to TS and BG)

    Community study of tubeworm-associated epizooic meiobenthos from deep-sea cold seeps and hot vents

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    The permanent metazoan meiofauna associated with vestimentiferan tubeworm aggregations from hydrocarbon seeps of the upper Louisiana slope in the Green Canyon (similar to 550 m) and the lower slope in Atwater Valley (similar to 2200 m) of the Gulf of Mexico was characterized. Meiofauna abundance, diversity, and community composition at genus level were compared between these seep sites, and with those of tubeworms from hydrothermal vents of the East Pacific Rise (Gollner et al. 2007; Mar Ecol Prog Ser 337: 39-49). The abundance was not significantly different between the 2 seep sites, and was also similar to those found at vents. A total of 150 meiobenthic genera were identified from the cold seep sites. While no significant difference in univariate measurements of diversity was detected, a shift in community composition between the shallow and the deep seep site was found. The hot vent communities included a total of only 17 genera and the diversity measurements were significantly lower at vents than at seeps. Also, Bray-Curtis dissimilarity was 97% between the meiobenthic communities from seeps and vents. The genera richness was negatively correlated with maximum temperature and maximum sulfide concentration, and positively correlated with minimum pH value. We conclude that the harsh conditions tubeworms experience at vents compared to the moderate conditions at cold seeps, as well as the longevity of cold seeps surrounded by sedimented deep-sea plains but short-lived vents on basaltic mid-ocean ridges, might explain the contrasting diversity patterns

    Grain legumes in mixed stands with false flax (Camelina sativa) in organic farming under Pannonian site conditions

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    In drei aufeinander folgenden Versuchsjahren wurden die Körnerleguminosen Linse (Lens culinaris), Platterbse (Lathyrus sativus) und Futtererbse (Pisum sativum) als Reinsaat und in unterschiedlichen Mischungsverhältnissen gemeinsam mit Leindotter (Camelina sativa) in einem Feldversuch auf den ökologisch bewirtschafteten Versuchsflächen der Universität für Bodenkultur Wien im pannonischen Klimagebiet geprüft. Ziel dieses Versuchs war zu überprüfen, ob unter trockenen Standortbedingungen eine Körnerleguminosen-Leindotter-Mischkultur trotz der erhöhten Konkurrenzsituation zwischen den Mischungspartnern vorteilhaft ist. Dafür wurden die optimalen Saatmengen von Leindotter und Körnerlegumi­nosen als Mischungspartner unter den pannonischen Bedingungen ermittelt. Die Witterungsverhältnisse waren in den drei Versuchsjahren sehr unterschiedlich und beeinflussten die Ertragsdaten der Mischkulturen. Unter den günstigen Witterungsbedingungen im ersten Versuchsjahr zeigten die Mischungen von Leindotter-Linse und Leindotter-Platterbse ertragliche Vorteile. Im Mittel über die drei Versuchsjahre war eine Leindotter-Linsen Mischung von 25:75 Prozentanteilen die Mischung mit dem günstigsten Mischungseffekt. Leindotter in den Mischkulturen erzielte durchschnittlich 6 dt ha–1 in den Mischungen mit Linsen sowie in den Mischungen mit Platt- und Futtererbse bei hohem Leindotteranteil. In Summe war der positive Effekt der substitutiven Lein­dotter-Linse und Leindotter-Platterbse Mischungen in den günstigen, feuchten Jahren größer als der negative Effekt im ungünstigen, trockenen Jahr. Diese Leindotter-Körnerleguminosen Mischungen werden deshalb sowohl für das Trockengebiet Ostösterreichs als auch für klimatisch ähnliche Gebiete in Ungarn oder Mitteldeutschland empfohlen.The grain legumes lens (Lens culinaris), grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) and field pea (Pisum sativum) were examined as pure crops and in different mixing ratios with false flax (Camelina sativa) on organically cultivated fields of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, in the Pannonian region in three consecutive vegetation periods. The aim of this study was to test whether a mixed stand of grain legume and false flax shows advantages compared to the pure crops despite an increased competition between the partners in the mixture under the dry conditions. Therefore, the optimum seed density for the partners in the mixed stand under the Pannonian conditions was identified. The weather conditions varied widely within the three vegetation periods and influenced the yield of the mixtures. Under the favourable weather conditions in the first experimental year, the mixed stands of lens-false flax and grass pea-false flax showed benefits in yield. On average across three very different years, a mixture of false flax : lens at 25:75 percent had the most positive mixture cropping effect. An average of 0.6 t ha–1 false flax was achieved in mixed stands with lentils and in mixtures with grass pea and field pea with high false flax percentage. In general, the positive effect of the substitutive lens-false flax and grass pea-false flax mixed stands was higher in the favourable, wet years than the negative effect in the unfavourable, dry year. We therefore recommend these grain legume-false flax mixed stands for the dry regions in Eastern Austria and for climatically similar regions in Hungary or Central Germany

    Whose Ocean? Exploring multidisciplinary perspectives towards ocean sustainability and implications for the un(der)represented

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    The ocean's significance encompasses crucial ecosystem services including climate regulation, oxygen production and food supply. The ocean is also a major player in the global economy. However, human activities continue to harm the ocean, jeopardising these vital functions. In July 2022, the United Nations Ocean Conference adopted a political declaration entitled "Our ocean, our future, our responsibility," emphasising the need for sustainable ocean management and protection. However, an important initial question arises: who are the “Our”? or, rephrased “Whose ocean” is it? This study presents first answers to this question, based on interviews with ocean professionals from diverse backgrounds. Their responses showcased the complexity of the issue, with differing opinions on ocean “ownership” and “control”. Despite the diversity of perspectives, a shared emphasis emerged: shifting from profit-driven decision-making to prioritising marine ecosystem health. Proposed approaches to build a sustainable relationship between people and the ocean include promoting ocean literacy and marine research and ensuring global accountability. These voices offered valuable insights towards ocean sustainability, guiding future academic, educational and policy-making efforts

    Whose Ocean? Exploring multidisciplinary perspectives towards ocean sustainability and implications for the un(der)represented

    Get PDF
    The ocean's significance encompasses crucial ecosystem services including climate regulation, oxygen production and food supply. The ocean is also a major player in the global economy. However, human activities continue to harm the ocean, jeopardising these vital functions. In July 2022, the United Nations Ocean Conference adopted a political declaration entitled "Our ocean, our future, our responsibility," emphasising the need for sustainable ocean management and protection. However, an important initial question arises: who are the “Our”? or, rephrased “Whose ocean” is it? This study presents first answers to this question, based on interviews with ocean professionals from diverse backgrounds. Their responses showcased the complexity of the issue, with differing opinions on ocean “ownership” and “control”. Despite the diversity of perspectives, a shared emphasis emerged: shifting from profit-driven decision-making to prioritising marine ecosystem health. Proposed approaches to build a sustainable relationship between people and the ocean include promoting ocean literacy and marine research and ensuring global accountability. These voices offered valuable insights towards ocean sustainability, guiding future academic, educational and policy-making efforts

    Exploring the ecology of deep-sea hydrothermal vents in a metacommunity framework

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    © The Author(s), 2018. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Frontiers in Marine Science 5 (2018): 49, doi:10.3389/fmars.2018.00049.Species inhabiting deep-sea hydrothermal vents are strongly influenced by the geological setting, as it provides the chemical-rich fluids supporting the food web, creates the patchwork of seafloor habitat, and generates catastrophic disturbances that can eradicate entire communities. The patches of vent habitat host a network of communities (a metacommunity) connected by dispersal of planktonic larvae. The dynamics of the metacommunity are influenced not only by birth rates, death rates and interactions of populations at the local site, but also by regional influences on dispersal from different sites. The connections to other communities provide a mechanism for dynamics at a local site to affect features of the regional biota. In this paper, we explore the challenges and potential benefits of applying metacommunity theory to vent communities, with a particular focus on effects of disturbance. We synthesize field observations to inform models and identify data gaps that need to be addressed to answer key questions including: (1) what is the influence of the magnitude and rate of disturbance on ecological attributes, such as time to extinction or resilience in a metacommunity; (2) what interactions between local and regional processes control species diversity, and (3) which communities are “hot spots” of key ecological significance. We conclude by assessing our ability to evaluate resilience of vent metacommunities to human disturbance (e.g., deep-sea mining). Although the resilience of a few highly disturbed vent systems in the eastern Pacific has been quantified, these values cannot be generalized to remote locales in the western Pacific or mid Atlantic where disturbance rates are different and information on local controls is missing.LM was supported by NSF OCE 1356738 and DEB 1558904. SB was supported by the NSF DEB 1558904 and the Investment in Science Fund at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. MB was supported by the Austrian Science Fund grants P20190-B17 and P16774-B03. LL was supported by NSF OCE 1634172 and the JM Kaplan Fund. MN was supported by NSF DEB 1558904. Y-JW was supported by a Korean Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) grant PM60210

    Resilience of benthic deep-sea fauna to mining activities

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    With increasing demand for mineral resources, extraction of polymetallic sulphides at hydrothermal vents, cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts at seamounts, and polymetallic nodules on abyssal plains may be imminent. Here, we shortly introduce ecosystem characteristics of mining areas, report on recent mining developments, and identify potential stress and disturbances created by mining. We analyze species' potential resistance to future mining and perform meta-analyses on population density and diversity recovery after disturbances most similar to mining: volcanic eruptions at vents, fisheries on seamounts, and experiments that mimic nodule mining on abyssal plains. We report wide variation in recovery rates among taxa, size, and mobility of fauna. While densities and diversities of some taxa can recover to or even exceed pre-disturbance levels, community composition remains affected after decades. The loss of hard substrata or alteration of substrata composition may cause substantial community shifts that persist over geological timescales at mined sites. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) under the MIDAS project; FCT [IF/00029/2014/CP1230/CT0002, SFRH/ BPD/110278/2015]; Spanish RTD project NUREIEV [CTM2013-44598-R]; Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [SGR 1068]; Generalitat de Catalunya autonomous government; European Union Horizon research and innovation programme [689518]; Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia [UID/MAR/04292/2013]; German Ministry of Research (BMBF) [03F0707A-G]; Program Investigador FCT [IF/01194/2013/CP1199/CT0002]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Diversity of Meiofauna from the 9°50′N East Pacific Rise across a Gradient of Hydrothermal Fluid Emissions

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    Background: We studied the meiofauna community at deep-sea hydrothermal vents along a gradient of vent fluid emissions in the axial summit trought (AST) of the East Pacific Rise 9 degrees 50'N region. The gradient ranged from extreme high temperatures, high sulfide concentrations, and low pH at sulfide chimneys to ambient deep-sea water conditions on bare basalt. We explore meiofauna diversity and abundance, and discuss its possible underlying ecological and evolutionary processes. Methodology/Principal Findings: After sampling in five physico-chemically different habitats, the meiofauna was sorted, counted and classified. Abundances were low at all sites. A total of 52 species were identified at vent habitats. The vent community was dominated by hard substrate generalists that also lived on bare basalt at ambient deep-sea temperature in the axial summit trough (AST generalists). Some vent species were restricted to a specific vent habitat (vent specialists), but others occurred over a wide range of physico-chemical conditions (vent generalists). Additionally, 35 species were only found on cold bare basalt (basalt specialists). At vent sites, species richness and diversity clearly increased with decreasing influence of vent fluid emissions from extreme flow sulfide chimney (no fauna), high flow pompei worm (S: 4-7, H-loge': 0.11-0.45), vigorous flow tubeworm (S: 8-23; H-loge': 0.44-2.00) to low flow mussel habitats (S: 28-31; H-loge': 2.34-2.60). Conclusions/Significance: Our data suggest that with increasing temperature and toxic hydrogen sulfide concentrations and increasing amplitude of variation of these factors, fewer species are able to cope with these extreme conditions. This results in less diverse communities in more extreme habitats. The finding of many species being present at sites with and without vent fluid emissions points to a non endemic deep-sea hydrothermal vent meiofaunal community. This is in contrast to a mostly endemic macrofauna but similar to what is known for meiofauna from shallow-water vents
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