Towards ecosystem based management and monitoring of the deep Mediterranean, North-East Atlantic and Beyond
Abstract
The deep sea covers 65% of the earth's surface and 95% of the biosphere but only a very small fraction (less than 0.0001%) of this has been explored (Rogers et al., 2015; Taylor and Roterman, 2017). However, current knowledge indicates that the deep ocean is characterized by a high level of biodiversity and by the presence of important biological and non-renewable resources. As well as vast flat and muddy plains, the topography of the deep ocean contains a variety of complex and heterogeneous seafloor features, such as canyons, seamounts, cold seeps, hydrothermal vents and biogenic (deep-water coral) reefs and sponge bioherms that harbour an unquantified and diverse array of organisms. The deep sea, despite its remoteness, provides a variety of supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural, ecosystem goods and services (Thurber et al., 2014). The recent push for 'Blue Growth', to unlock the potential of seas and oceans (European Commission, 2017) has increased the focus on the potential to exploit resources in the deep-sea and consequently the need for improved management (Thurber et al., 2014).
- Publication:
-
Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography
- Pub Date:
- November 2017
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.dsr2.2017.09.014
- Bibcode:
- 2017DSRII.145....1G
- Keywords:
-
- deep-water corals;
- fish;
- fisheries;
- ecosystem based management;
- habitat suitability modelling;
- monitoring;
- conservation;
- litter;
- climate change