![]() ![]() ![]() Norway-based ecological profiles and predicted distributions are provided and discussed. Data exploration techniques and ensembled species distribution modelling (SDM) are applied to video observations obtained by the MAREANO project between 20. This study aims to provide such information about six taxa of sea pen in Norwegian waters. Consequently, any information about their ecology and distribution should be of use to management decision makers. ![]() ![]() Sea pens are considered to be of conservation relevance according to multiple international legislations and agreements. These results highlight not only the importance of hard structure in determining patterns of coral distributions, abundances, and assemblages, but also the need to focus conservation efforts on a variety of habitats to ensure protection for the full suite of deep-sea coral species. characterised large coral fields with abundant corals but relatively low species richness. Sea pen meadows covered large tracts of muddy seafloor spanning > 1 km. were largely absent in mud-sand habitats. The unique assemblage at outcrops was strongly driven by the presence of Desmophyllum dianthus. Assemblages differed significantly with depth class and bottom type. Corals spanned the entire depth range sampled (351 to 2245 m) and inhabited all bottom types surveyed, but boulder and cobble habitats were most species-rich. The largest coral observed was Keratoisis grayi at over 2 m in height. Over 160 000 coral colonies were enumerated and, of the 28 species found, Acanella arbuscula, Pennatula spp., and Flabellum spp. We conducted 7 dives in 3 canyons (Haddock Channel, Halibut Channel, and Desbarres Canyon) with ROPOS (Remotely Operated Platform for Ocean Science). The rarity of in situ observations in deep waters off Newfoundland, Canada, motivated the first extensive deep-sea research cruise to that region in 2007. Deep-sea corals are fragile and long-lived species that provide important habitat for a variety of taxa. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |