Deep-Sea Mining With No Net Loss of Biodiversity—An Impossible Aim

Niner, Holly J.; Ardron, Jeff; Escobar, Elva; Gianni, Matthew; Jaeckel, Aline; Jones, Daniel O. B.; Levin, Lisa A.; Smith, Craig R.; Thiele, Torsten; Turner, Phillip J.; Dover, Cindy Lee Van; Watling, Les; Gjerde, Kristina M.

doi:10.3389/fmars.2018.00053

Cited by 114 publications

(98 citation statements)

References 55 publications

(88 reference statements)

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“…The COI and 28S allowed the barcode-only samples to be linked to the phylogenomic exon data. A maximum-likelihood tree was constructed by IQ-TREE 1.6.9 (Nguyen et al, 2015;Hoang et al, 2018) using a five partition (exon codon positions, 28S, COI) HKY+G model and 1000 ultra-fast bootstrap replicates (with nearest-neighbour interchange (NNI) optimization). Then the 200 "super-matrix backbone" samples were pruned out to leave only the 300 barcode samples, node support bootstrap values were recalculated and the tree was rooted according to O'Hara et al (2017).…”

Section: Maximum-likelihood Treementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Metal-rich (polymetallic) nodules from the deep-sea floor were described and their potential economic importance acknowledged as early as 1873, during the HMS Challenger expedition (Murray and Renard, 1891;Lusty and Murton, 2018). However, it was in the 1960s that economic interest in these deposits was ignited after polymetallic nodule resources in the Pacific Ocean were estimated to be so abundant as to be an essentially endless supply of metals such as Mn, Cu, Ni and Co (Mero, 1965;Lusty and Murton, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Unexpected high abyssal ophiuroid diversity in polymetallic nodule fields of the northeast Pacific Ocean and implications for conservation

et al. 2020

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Abstract. The largest and commercially appealing mineral deposits can be found in the abyssal sea floor of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a polymetallic nodule province, in the NE Pacific Ocean, where experimental mining is due to take place. In anticipation of deep-sea mining impacts, it has become essential to rapidly and accurately assess biodiversity. For this reason, ophiuroid material collected during eight scientific cruises from five exploration licence areas within CCZ, one area being protected from mining (APEI3, Area of Particular Environmental Interest) in the periphery of CCZ and the DISturbance and re-COLonisation (DISCOL) Experimental Area (DEA), in the SE Pacific Ocean, was examined. Specimens were genetically analysed using a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). Maximum-likelihood and neighbour-joining trees were constructed, while four tree-based and distance-based methods of species delineation (automatic barcode gap discovery, ABGD; barcode index numbers, BINs; general mixed Yule–coalescent, GMYC; multi-rate Poisson tree process, mPTP) were employed to propose secondary species hypotheses (SSHs) within the ophiuroids collected. The species delimitation analyses' concordant results revealed the presence of 43 deep-sea brittle star SSHs, revealing an unexpectedly high diversity and showing that the most conspicuous invertebrates in abyssal plains have been so far considerably underestimated. The number of SSHs found in each area varied from five (IFREMER area) to 24 (BGR (Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Germany) area) while 13 SSHs were represented by singletons. None of the SSHs were found to be present in all seven areas while the majority of species (44.2 %) had a single-area presence (19 SSHs). The most common species were Ophioleucidae sp. (Species 29), Amphioplus daleus (Species 2) and Ophiosphalma glabrum (Species 3), present in all areas except APEI3. The biodiversity patterns could be mainly attributed to particulate organic carbon (POC) fluxes that could explain the highest species numbers found in BGR (German contractor area) and UKSRL (UK Seabed Resources Ltd, UK contractor area) areas. The five exploration contract areas belong to a mesotrophic province, while conversely the APEI3 is located in an oligotrophic province, which could explain the lowest diversity as well as very low similarity with the other six study areas. Based on these results the representativeness and the appropriateness of APEI3 to meet its purpose of preserving the biodiversity of the CCZ fauna are questioned. Finally, this study provides the foundation for biogeographic and functional analyses that will provide insight into the drivers of species diversity and its role in ecosystem function.

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Section: Maximum-likelihood Treementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unexpected high abyssal ophiuroid diversity in polymetallic nodule fields of the northeast Pacific Ocean and implications for conservation

et al. 2020

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“…The GOBI effort at Duke University also focuses on several issues relating to the environmental management of mineral exploitation in the deep sea, including: (a) consideration of the potential for loss of biodiversity that might result from mining activities in the deep sea (Niner et al, ; Van Dover et al, ); (b) development of a framework for science‐based design and design assessment of networks of no‐mine areas (so‐called Areas of Particular Environmental Interest) on mid‐ocean ridges (Dunn et al, ) in support of environmental management efforts of the International Seabed Authority, which has the exclusive mandate to regulate access to the area and its resources consistent with UNCLOS; and (c) deliberation on the need for protection of active hydrothermal vent ecosystems (Van Dover et al, ) to inform regional environmental management plans for polymetallic sulphide deposits. These activities are intended to contribute to protection of the marine environment and strategies for sustainable development of seabed mining.…”

Section: Gobi Efforts To Strengthen Baselinesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative: Promoting scientific support for global ocean governance

Johnson

Froján

Bax

et al. 2019

Aquatic Conservation

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Addressing the challenge of protecting biodiversity in the global ocean requires a sound knowledge and understanding of the complex marine environment. Since 2008 the Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative (GOBI) has been established as a voluntary dedicated group of marine institutions and scientists working to support conservation and protection of marine biodiversity. A focus has been work to support the Convention on Biological Diversity's Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Area (EBSA) process. GOBI partners have provided expert interpretation of evidence‐based information and sought to compile and collate available information. An effective and coherent global network of marine protected areas must include bioregional representative replicates of features; once described, EBSAs can help focus attention on where and what kind of protective measures may be needed. GOBI is currently undertaking a 5‐year programme of research funded by the German International Climate Initiative, working to strengthen baselines and contribute new data to the EBSA and other processes. This involves developing detailed biogeographies for the Pacific and Indian Oceans, assessing the movement of migratory species, advancing understanding of biodiversity at vents and seeps, developing a model governance system for the Costa Rica Thermal Dome, and incorporating Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and Important Marine Mammal Areas. GOBI has taken initiatives to build on the results of the Census of Marine Life and ensure best available marine biodiversity information is considered by states and intergovernmental organizations. GOBI support for ocean governance, including data development and expert consultation, will also contribute to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030). Future challenges include capacity building and new approaches to incorporate traditional knowledge.

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“…Pressures and threats associated with anthropogenic activities occurring in the UK deep sea are expected to intensify in the future, particularly as coastal resources dwindle and demands for goods and services from the deep-sea increase (Armstrong, Foley, Tinch, & van den Hove, 2012). If left unmanaged, these pressures are likely to alter the provision of deep-sea ecosystem services by impacting on core processes and ecosystem function, as well as causing a decrease in biodiversity (Niner et al, 2018;Van Dover et al, 2017). Current levels of resource utilization are unlikely to be sustainable, although lack of knowledge hinders understanding of what constitutes sustainable, resource-efficient utilization (Vinde Folkersen, Fleming, & Hasan, 2018).…”

Section: Furthering Knowledge Of Threats Pressures and Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

UK deep‐sea conservation: Progress, lessons learned, and actions for the future

Chaniotis

Robson

Lemasson

et al. 2019

Aquatic Conservation

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Despite a relatively long history of scientific interest fuelled by exploratory research cruises, the UK deep sea has only recently emerged as the subject of targeted and proactive conservation. Enabling legislation over the past 10 years has resulted in the designation of marine protected areas and the implementation of fisheries management areas as spatial conservation tools. This paper reflects on progress and lessons learned, recommending actions for the future. Increased investment has been made to improve the evidence base for deep‐sea conservation, including collaborative research surveys and use of emerging technologies. New open data portals and developments in marine habitat classification systems have been two notable steps to furthering understanding of deep‐sea biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in support of conservation action. There are still extensive gaps in fundamental knowledge of deep‐sea ecosystems and of cause and effect. Costs of new technologies and a limited ability to share data in a timely and efficient manner across sectors are barriers to furthering understanding. In addition, whilst the concepts of natural capital and ecosystem services are considered a useful tool to support the achievement of conservation goals, practical application is challenging. Continued collaborative research efforts and engagement with industry to share knowledge and resources could offer cost‐effective solutions to some of these barriers. Further elaboration of the concepts of natural capital and ecosystem services will aid understanding of the costs and benefits associated with human–environment interactions and support informed decision‐making in conserving the deep sea. Whilst multiple challenges arise for deep‐sea conservation, it is critical to continue ongoing conservation efforts, including exploration and collaboration, and to adopt new conservation strategies that are implemented in a systematic and holistic way and to ensure that these are adaptive to growing economic interest in this marine area.

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Deep-Sea Mining With No Net Loss of Biodiversity—An Impossible Aim

Cited by 114 publications

References 55 publications

Unexpected high abyssal ophiuroid diversity in polymetallic nodule fields of the northeast Pacific Ocean and implications for conservation

Unexpected high abyssal ophiuroid diversity in polymetallic nodule fields of the northeast Pacific Ocean and implications for conservation

The Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative: Promoting scientific support for global ocean governance

UK deep‐sea conservation: Progress, lessons learned, and actions for the future

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