MAR-ECO: PATTERNS AND PROCESSES OF THE ECOSYSTEMS OF THE NORTHERN MID-ATLANTIC MAR-ECO: PATTERNS AND PROCESSES OF THE

ECOSYSTEMS OF THE NORTHERN MID-ATLANTIC

Overriding aim: Overriding aim: To describe and understand the To describe and understand the patterns of distribution, abundance and trophic patterns of distribution, abundance and trophic relationships of the organisms inhabiting the relationships of the organisms inhabiting the mid-oceanic North Atlantic, and identify and mid-oceanic North Atlantic, and identify and model ecological processes that cause variability in model ecological processes that cause variability in these patterns.these patterns.

Realm: ”Dark Zone”,Realm: ”Dark Zone”,restricted to pelagic restricted to pelagic and benthic habitatsand benthic habitats

associated with associated with mid-ocean ridges.mid-ocean ridges.

after Garrison, 1993

The target area of MAR-ECO is the mid-ocean North Atlantic.

A spin-off project is being developed in the South Atlantic based on experience in the North. This effort has currently no ship-time commitments!

Global Scope of ProjectGlobal Scope of Project

NOAA

2007 Scientific Results2007 Scientific ResultsSouthern area

High diversity - low biomassNorthern area Low diversity - high biomass

Copepod diversity along a north-south transect along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland-Azores

0 %

10 %

20 %

30 %

40 %

50 %

60 %

70 %

80 %

90 %

100 %

2 4 10 12 14 16 20 26 28 32 36

From Gaard et al.

2007 Scientific Results2007 Scientific Results

Abundance of pelagic fishes shows maxima in the upper bathypelagic zone (1000-2000m) and near

the seabed. This concentration in deep layers contrasts with the normal exponential decline seen in oceanic areas and may be a special feature of

ridge-associated communities

From Sutton et al.

DiversityDiversity

MAR-ECO focuses on macro- and megafauna in a limited geographical area, not the entire global ridge system. The targets are animal species and communities associated with photosynthetic food-webs. The total number of species in this category has not been determined or estimated.

New species!Crosnier & Vereshchaka subm.

Examples from MAR-ECO samples include:

Fishes: ~ 300 species, 3-4 newCephalopods: 53 species, 2 new Pelagic copepods: ~150 speciesShrimps: ~ 30 species, 1 newHolothurians: at least 22 species, at least 3-4 new

Lophodolos sp. Promachoteuthis sloani

Byrkjedal and Orlov, 2007

Cottunculus tubulosus

Photo: A. Orlov

DistributionDistribution

The abundance, distribution and

composition of macro- and megafauna is primarily related to

depth of occurrence and the watermass pattern

probably affecting production. Only the

bathypelagic community appears unaffected by the latitudinal abiotic

environmental pattern.

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A

0

3

6

9

12

Latitude, °N

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61

0-1500m acoustic area backscatter along latitudinal gradient

From Opdal et al.

From Søiland et al.

AbundanceAbundance

•Abundance estimation is not trivial for any pelagic or demersal taxa inhabiting deep mid-ocean ridge waters. There is elevated abundance near the seabed, and in oceanographic frontal zones.•Current efforts are short-term and limited in spatial scale and do not provide knowledge on seasonal variation except in few locations using long-term lander observatories.

Diurnal vertical migration of deep scattering layers

above an acoustic lander mounted on mid-Atlantic Ridge

seamount

Steps Toward Project SynthesisSteps Toward Project Synthesis

A multitude of interesting patterns and observations emerge at population, species and

community levels. The most striking is the latitudinal and watermass-related diversity and

distribution patterns, and the changes with depth in species composition and abundance.

MAR-ECO will construct conceptual models of value to future mid-ocean studies, but the results may not form a satisfactory basis for predictive or

retrospective modeling efforts.

Steps Toward Realm SynthesisSteps Toward Realm Synthesis

MAR-ECO provides samples to CMarZ and collaborates at sea, provides tissue to the Barcode of

Life programme, and exchanges results with CenSeam. There is communication with other deepwater projects, CaML, TOPP and HMAP.

Nancy Copley (CMarZ) visiting Tone Falkenhaug (MAR-ECO) to collect crustacean zooplankton specimens for barcoding

BARCODE of LIFE: Done: fishes, cephalopods,

copepods

Coming: Shrimps, mysids,

euphausids, amphipods,

chaetognaths a.o.

Synthesis OutputsSynthesis Outputs

Science community: two special journal issues in early 2008, monograph on biogeography, papers in primary literature 2004-present, final synthetic review paper with conceptual model

Public: By end 2007; two TV-docs, two DVDs, traveling exhibitionBy 2010: popular book

Other user groups: Input to advisory organizations; proposals for open-ocean biodiversity reference sites (MARBEF), new knowledge continually provided to advisory processes in e.g. ICES

Visualization & CommunicationVisualization & Communication

The mid-ocean North Atlantic surrounded by MAR-ECO images illustrating the diversity of organisms and technologies and methods required to gain new baseline knowledge

Illustration compiled by T. Wenneck, photos by D. Shale and MAR-ECO partners.

Visualization & CommunicationVisualization & CommunicationNo Mid-Ocean Ridge

With Mid Ocean Ridge

After Priede et al. 2006

What is the significance of mid-ocean ridges for the ocean-wide patterns of species composition, abundance and production?

Achievements: • Updated species inventories and range descriptions for mid-ocean North Atlantic macrofauna, spanning a wide range of

pelagic, benthopelagic and benthic taxa.•Conceptual models for the pattern of occurrence and abundance

of e.g. zooplankton, nekton of all sizes, benthic macrofauna, whales, and seabirds in relation to their abiotic environment. • New species of e.g. sponges, echinoderms, crustaceans,

cephalopods, fishes, and redescription of species and revision of genera.

Future impact:

•Concepts and methodology stimulating global efforts to determine significance of mid-ocean ridges for

biogeography, oceanic system structure and processes

Science ImpactScience Impact

The project has raised the public and managerial awareness of the value and significance of mid-

ocean areas and their animal communities

Results have contributed to defining high-seas habitats and communities in need of protection.

Results were used in e.g. ICES WGs to evaluate closed areas implemented by the RFMO NEAFC. OSPAR has shown interest. WWF has based an MPA proposal on preliminary results from MAR-

ECO.

Societal Impact of Results to DateSocietal Impact of Results to Date

Comprehensive approaches to monitoring high-seas

pelagic reference sites and deepwater benthopelagic and

epibenthic communities

Impact of Approach & MethodologyImpact of Approach & Methodology

Many technologies on same ship combined with moored observatories. E.g. acoustic and optical landers and profilers, multisampler for midwater trawls, hull-mounted multifrequency echosounders, real time bathymetry mapping.

Project Data Available in OBISProject Data Available in OBIS

All MAR-ECO fish records were

included in OBIS. Other taxa will be

provided as taxonomic quality-

assurance is completed. Records

are from North Atlantic only.

Pictures by Porteiro and Piatkowski

Education & OutreachEducation & Outreach

The traveling exhibition “Deeper than Light” visited Paris, Porto, and Essen in 2007.

The associated book “Deeper than Light” written by MAR-ECO in cooperation with other deepwater

projects and EuroCoML was published.Two educational DVDs and numerous website news, including ship-to-shore reports and media attention

during 2007 cruise on the RRS James Cook

Audiences: interested public of all ages, including students and schoolchildren.

Impact: good attendance at all venues, high media attention during events.

MAR-ECO StudentsBachelor Students May-Siri Stene and Margrete Emblemsvåg, Aalesund University College, Norway. Completed June 2007.Kaia Damsgård Andersen and Ingrid Stadsnes Aalesund University College, Norway Completed June 2007.Susana de Villegas Quevedo, Aalesund University College, Norway Completed June 2007.Tom Letessier, University of Aberdeen, UK Completed Jan 2006 Master StudentsMegan Geidner, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, USAChristopher Sweetman, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, USAInger Marie Tyssebotn University of Bergen and the National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), NorwayFred Marius Svendsen, University of Bergen (UIB), Bergen Museum, NorwayMarkus Busch, Heinrich-Heine Universität Düsseldorf,GermanyEsra Kahn, Heinrich-Heine Universität Düsseldorf,GermanyJan Yde Poulsen, Zoological Museum University of Copenhagen (ZMUC), DenmarkHanne Sannæs, University of Oslo, Institute of Marine Research Completed Sept 2007Lise Doksæter University of Bergen (UIB) and Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Norway Completed 2006Helene Axelsen, University of Bergen (UIB), Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Norway Completed Nov 2006Hildur Petursdottir Marine Research Institute ,Iceland and University of Iceland). Completed Oct2006Øyvind Karlbom ,University of Bergen (UIB), Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Norway Completed Oct 2006Anders Frugård Opdal, , Institute of Marine Research (IMR) Norway Completed May 2006Guro Gjelsvik, University of Bergen (UIB), Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Norway Completed Mar 2006Pål Øyvind Aas University of Bergen (UIB), Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Norway Completed Febr 2006Kristina Arianson , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and IMR, Norway Completed 2006Anne Edvardsen, Notodden College, Norway Completed 2007 PhD StudentsKyle Bartow, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, USAJessica Craig, Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen UKTom Letessier, University of St Andrews, UK Vanda Carmo, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, University of the Azores (DOP), Portugal.Amy Heger,OceanLab, University of Aberdeen, UKBirkir Bardarson, Marine Research Institute , Iceland & Univ. St Andrews, ScotlandNina Svane Mikkelsen, Dept. of information science and media studies, University of Bergen (UIB) NorwayInge Fossen, University of Bergen (UIB) and University College in Aalesund, Norway. Completed June 2007Aino Hosia University of Bergen (UIB) , Norway Completed May 2007.Nicola King, OceanLab, University of Aberdeen, UK Completed Nov 2006Tom Sørnes,University of Bergen (UIB) Norway Completed Nov 2005

Next StepsNext Steps

1) Completion of analyses of data and samples from 2003-2005 field

phase; publishing and provision of data to OBIS. Barcoding.

2) New field work in the North Atlantic,

3) Developing a South Atlantic activity

4) Syntheses in preparation for the 2010

CoML

Getting prepared for the synthesis challenge!!MAR-ECO students exploring a mid-Atl Ridgerift valley during the Sept ’07 project meetingin Iceland (photo: T. Letessier)

Limits to KnowledgeLimits to Knowledge

Unknown but knowable: 1.seasonal and interannual variation in

species composition and ranges. 2.understanding of relative significance of

different production processes. 3.scale and significance of human impacts.

Optical and acoustical observatory technology and advanced long-term

samplers may enhance understanding of production processes. Other items require

repeated observation programmes with comprehensive sampling efforts.