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.
Are
a b
ack
sca
tte
r, s
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.