Abyssal deposit‐feeding rates consistent with the metabolic theory of ecology

Durden, Jennifer M.; Bett, Brian J.; Huffard, Christine L.; Ruhl, Henry A.; Smith, Kenneth L.

doi:10.1002/ecy.2564

Cited by 14 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Fresh wet weight biomass was estimated for echinoderms (Holothuroidea, Crinoidea, Ophiuroidea, Asteroidea, and Echinoidea) from these measured dimensions in the seabed photographs and established length-towet weight relationships (Durden et al, 2016a). In the case of echinoids, fresh wet weight was estimated based on a spherical test volume of measured diameter, with an estimated tissue volume of 25% of test volume (Ebert, 2013) converted to fresh mass, assuming a density of 1 g cm −3 , a method similar to that employed by Durden et al (2019).…”

Section: Megafaunal Community Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Megafaunal Ecology of the Western Clarion Clipperton Zone

et al. 2021

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The Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) is a vast area of the central Pacific Ocean where the abyssal seabed is a focus for future polymetallic nodule mining. Broad-scale environmental gradients occur east-to-west across the CCZ seabed, including organic matter supply and nodule abundance, factors that influence benthic faunal community structure and function. A network of protected areas across the CCZ, called Areas of Particular Environmental Interest (APEIs), has been designated to cover this variation. Most previous studies of the benthic environment and megafaunal communities have focussed on the eastern CCZ, leaving the impact of these large-scale gradients unexamined and the network design untested. Seamounts are a further source of heterogeneity in the region. We examined the benthic megafaunal ecology of three APEIs in the western CCZ, spanning a range of environmental conditions. We used a combination of seabed photography and direct sampling to assess the environment and megafauna on the soft sediment habitats on the abyssal plain in three APEIs, and seamounts in two of those APEIs. We found that environmental conditions on abyssal plains differed between the three APEIs in terms of water depth, nodule abundance and coverage, sediment particle size distribution, and estimated organic matter flux. Megafauna were low density and high diversity, with few common morphotypes between sites and many morphotypes being observed only once. Xenophyophores dominated the assemblages. The density and diversity of invertebrates were greater at the sites with lower organic matter inputs and greater nodule abundance. Seamounts in the same APEIs were nodule-free and had coarser sediments than on the plain. Invertebrate megafaunal diversity was lower on the seamounts than on the plains, and most morphotypes recorded on the seamounts were only found on seamounts. Low morphotype overlap also suggests little connectivity between APEIs, and between seamounts and adjacent abyssal plains. Our results provide the first evaluation of the seabed habitats and megafaunal ecology in the western CCZ, highlighting environmental gradients that influence benthic communities, and are important for evaluating the design of the network of protected areas.

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Section: Megafaunal Community Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Megafaunal Ecology of the Western Clarion Clipperton Zone

et al. 2021

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“…Where functions are known, they can provide useful information for modeling and onward use of information to understand specific habitat uses, trophic interactions, food web dynamics, behaviors, life stages, and ecosystem services. Key examples include functions of suspension feeding, deposit feeding, bioturbation, predation, and habitat formation (Durden et al 2019).…”

Section: Underpinning Conceptsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating ocean observations across body‐size classes to deliver benthic invertebrate abundance and distribution information

Ruhl

Bett

Ingels

et al. 2023

Limnol Oceanogr Letters

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Invertebrate animals living at the seafloor make up a prominent component of life globally, spanning 10 orders of magnitude in body size over 71% of Earth's surface. However, integrating information across sizes and sampling methodologies has limited our understanding of the influence of natural variation, climate change and human activity. Here, we outline maturing practices that can underpin both the feasibility and impact of establishing Benthic Invertebrate Abundance and Distribution as a Global Ocean Observing System—Essential Ocean Variable, including: (1) quantifying individual body size, (2) identifying the well‐quantified portions of sampled body‐size spectra, (3) taking advantage of (semi‐)automated information processing, (4) application of metadata standards such as Darwin Core, and (5) making data available through internationally recognized access points. These practices enable broader‐scale analysis supporting research and sustainable development, such as assessments of indicator taxa, biodiversity, biomass, and the modeling of carbon stocks and flows that are contiguous over time and space.

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Seafloor bioturbation intensity on the deep sea: More complex than organic matter

Miguez‐Salas,

Saeedi,

Brandt

et al. 2024

Limnology & Oceanography

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Deep‐sea benthic communities are strongly controlled by the quantity and quality of organic matter sinking from the ocean surface. The interaction between benthic fauna and seafloor sediments mainly occurs through bioturbation that modifies substrate properties (e.g., geochemical profiles). The intensity of the bioturbation has long been linked with organic matter and measured as a diffusive process by considering the vertical particle reworking (endobenthic bioturbation), disregarding the seafloor horizontal mixing (epibenthic bioturbation). Here, a novel approach to quantify horizontal mixing is presented: Seafloor Bioturbation Intensity (SBI). SBI calculations were based on seafloor image datasets from eight stations that reflected different environmental conditions in the north‐western Pacific (e.g., chlorophyll a, silicate). To calculate SBI, we characterized the area occupied by all different types of traces (i.e., lebensspuren) related to epibenthic bioturbation, trace makers, and their ingested sediment thickness. Our results showed a weak negative correlation between organic matter and SBI. This relationship contrast with the traditionally held view on vertical bioturbation intensity, where a dominant positive correlation is expected. It is demonstrated that lebensspuren morphotypes contributed differently to SBI. Not all morphotypes—and, by extension, their corresponding trace makers—are equally controlled by the same environmental factors. This investigation does not dismiss the importance of organic matter content, but emphasizes the importance of other environmental variables that need to be considered when determining the long‐term relation between epibenthic fauna and bioturbation intensity. Finally, we emphasize the importance of characterizing horizontal bioturbation for approaching global biogeochemical cycles and conservational strategies.

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Abyssal deposit‐feeding rates consistent with the metabolic theory of ecology

Cited by 14 publications

References 49 publications

Megafaunal Ecology of the Western Clarion Clipperton Zone

Megafaunal Ecology of the Western Clarion Clipperton Zone

Integrating ocean observations across body‐size classes to deliver benthic invertebrate abundance and distribution information

Seafloor bioturbation intensity on the deep sea: More complex than organic matter

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