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International audience ; Deep-sea environments in the Mediterranean Sea have been widely degraded over the past decades and thus there is an urgent need to implement protection measures. Within European Union's Mediterranean waters vast extensions of the deep-sea ecologically relevant ecosystems have been protected by integrating them to the Natura 2000 network. Inside the French Exclusive Economic Zone, this network is currently expanding to off-shore areas, beyond 12 nautical miles. In this study, we characterized megabenthic biodiversity on target features located inside a designed site of the south west Corsican margin, particularly on a volcanic promontory on the south flank of the Ajaccio submarine canyon and a wall of the Valinco Canyon, between 1690 and 2250 m depth. By means of a fine scale three-dimensional photogrammetric analysis, four megabenthic assemblages segregated by substrate were identified. Hard substrate assemblages were characterized by the presence of sponges, polychaetes, gastropods and the squat lobster Munida tenuimana while soft sediment assemblages were characterized by the elpidiid holothurian Penilpidia ludwigi and an unidentified sabellid. Highest densities were registered on serpulid thanatocoenoses, which hosted widespread patches of an unidentified encrusting sponge. Lebensspuren had a diverse origin likely deriving from the activity of epibenthic, infaunal and bathypelagic organisms. In general, litter was not abundant at these offshore sites: in the Valinco site, it had both a marine and land-based origin while at the even more offshore Ajaccio site, it was mainly marine based. More extensive surveys would be advisable to confirm this trend. This study provides new insight on the ecology and diversity of Mediterranean deep-sea environments in the 2000 m bathymetric zone, highlighting the enduring knowledge gap surrounding orographically complex deep-sea escarpments in the basin.

International audience ; Deep-sea environments in the Mediterranean Sea have been widely degraded over the past decades and thus there is an urgent need to implement protection measures. Within European Union's Mediterranean waters vast extensions of the deep-sea ecologically relevant ecosystems have been protected by integrating them to the Natura 2000 network. Inside the French Exclusive Economic Zone, this network is currently expanding to off-shore areas, beyond 12 nautical miles. In this study, we characterized megabenthic biodiversity on target features located inside a designed site of the south west Corsican margin, particularly on a volcanic promontory on the south flank of the Ajaccio submarine canyon and a wall of the Valinco Canyon, between 1690 and 2250 m depth. By means of a fine scale three-dimensional photogrammetric analysis, four megabenthic assemblages segregated by substrate were identified. Hard substrate assemblages were characterized by the presence of sponges, polychaetes, gastropods and the squat lobster Munida tenuimana while soft sediment assemblages were characterized by the elpidiid holothurian Penilpidia ludwigi and an unidentified sabellid. Highest densities were registered on serpulid thanatocoenoses, which hosted widespread patches of an unidentified encrusting sponge. Lebensspuren had a diverse origin likely deriving from the activity of epibenthic, infaunal and bathypelagic organisms. In general, litter was not abundant at these offshore sites: in the Valinco site, it had both a marine and land-based origin while at the even more offshore Ajaccio site, it was mainly marine based. More extensive surveys would be advisable to confirm this trend. This study provides new insight on the ecology and diversity of Mediterranean deep-sea environments in the 2000 m bathymetric zone, highlighting the enduring knowledge gap surrounding orographically complex deep-sea escarpments in the basin.

International audience ; Deep-sea environments in the Mediterranean Sea have been widely degraded over the past decades and thus there is an urgent need to implement protection measures. Within European Union's Mediterranean waters vast extensions of the deep-sea ecologically relevant ecosystems have been protected by integrating them to the Natura 2000 network. Inside the French Exclusive Economic Zone, this network is currently expanding to off-shore areas, beyond 12 nautical miles. In this study, we characterized megabenthic biodiversity on target features located inside a designed site of the south west Corsican margin, particularly on a volcanic promontory on the south flank of the Ajaccio submarine canyon and a wall of the Valinco Canyon, between 1690 and 2250 m depth. By means of a fine scale three-dimensional photogrammetric analysis, four megabenthic assemblages segregated by substrate were identified. Hard substrate assemblages were characterized by the presence of sponges, polychaetes, gastropods and the squat lobster Munida tenuimana while soft sediment assemblages were characterized by the elpidiid holothurian Penilpidia ludwigi and an unidentified sabellid. Highest densities were registered on serpulid thanatocoenoses, which hosted widespread patches of an unidentified encrusting sponge. Lebensspuren had a diverse origin likely deriving from the activity of epibenthic, infaunal and bathypelagic organisms. In general, litter was not abundant at these offshore sites: in the Valinco site, it had both a marine and land-based origin while at the even more offshore Ajaccio site, it was mainly marine based. More extensive surveys would be advisable to confirm this trend. This study provides new insight on the ecology and diversity of Mediterranean deep-sea environments in the 2000 m bathymetric zone, highlighting the enduring knowledge gap surrounding orographically complex deep-sea escarpments in the basin.

International audience ; Deep-sea environments in the Mediterranean Sea have been widely degraded over the past decades and thus there is an urgent need to implement protection measures. Within European Union's Mediterranean waters vast extensions of the deep-sea ecologically relevant ecosystems have been protected by integrating them to the Natura 2000 network. Inside the French Exclusive Economic Zone, this network is currently expanding to off-shore areas, beyond 12 nautical miles. In this study, we characterized megabenthic biodiversity on target features located inside a designed site of the south west Corsican margin, particularly on a volcanic promontory on the south flank of the Ajaccio submarine canyon and a wall of the Valinco Canyon, between 1690 and 2250 m depth. By means of a fine scale three-dimensional photogrammetric analysis, four megabenthic assemblages segregated by substrate were identified. Hard substrate assemblages were characterized by the presence of sponges, polychaetes, gastropods and the squat lobster Munida tenuimana while soft sediment assemblages were characterized by the elpidiid holothurian Penilpidia ludwigi and an unidentified sabellid. Highest densities were registered on serpulid thanatocoenoses, which hosted widespread patches of an unidentified encrusting sponge. Lebensspuren had a diverse origin likely deriving from the activity of epibenthic, infaunal and bathypelagic organisms. In general, litter was not abundant at these offshore sites: in the Valinco site, it had both a marine and land-based origin while at the even more offshore Ajaccio site, it was mainly marine based. More extensive surveys would be advisable to confirm this trend. This study provides new insight on the ecology and diversity of Mediterranean deep-sea environments in the 2000 m bathymetric zone, highlighting the enduring knowledge gap surrounding orographically complex deep-sea escarpments in the basin.

International audience ; Deep-sea environments in the Mediterranean Sea have been widely degraded over the past decades and thus there is an urgent need to implement protection measures. Within European Union's Mediterranean waters vast extensions of the deep-sea ecologically relevant ecosystems have been protected by integrating them to the Natura 2000 network. Inside the French Exclusive Economic Zone, this network is currently expanding to off-shore areas, beyond 12 nautical miles. In this study, we characterized megabenthic biodiversity on target features located inside a designed site of the south west Corsican margin, particularly on a volcanic promontory on the south flank of the Ajaccio submarine canyon and a wall of the Valinco Canyon, between 1690 and 2250 m depth. By means of a fine scale three-dimensional photogrammetric analysis, four megabenthic assemblages segregated by substrate were identified. Hard substrate assemblages were characterized by the presence of sponges, polychaetes, gastropods and the squat lobster Munida tenuimana while soft sediment assemblages were characterized by the elpidiid holothurian Penilpidia ludwigi and an unidentified sabellid. Highest densities were registered on serpulid thanatocoenoses, which hosted widespread patches of an unidentified encrusting sponge. Lebensspuren had a diverse origin likely deriving from the activity of epibenthic, infaunal and bathypelagic organisms. In general, litter was not abundant at these offshore sites: in the Valinco site, it had both a marine and land-based origin while at the even more offshore Ajaccio site, it was mainly marine based. More extensive surveys would be advisable to confirm this trend. This study provides new insight on the ecology and diversity of Mediterranean deep-sea environments in the 2000 m bathymetric zone, highlighting the enduring knowledge gap surrounding orographically complex deep-sea escarpments in the basin.

ABSTRACT The chapter provides a brief introduction to the underlying causes of climate change in the deep ocean, and the mechanisms by which these affect deep-ocean ecosystems (Figure 2). Climate change is interpreted in the broad sense here and incorporates the many changes in ocean environments linked to atmospheric and ocean warming and/ or ocean acidification, including oxygen loss, changes in POC flux to depth, altered hydrodynamics and circulation, as well as bentho-pelagic coupling.

ABSTRACT Despite considerable technological advances in recent decades that have enabled the ecosystems of the deeper parts of the oceans to be discovered and explored, large knowledge gaps still exist on the biology and ecology of such ecosystems. This is largely due to challenges related to observation and experimentation in situ, and to maintaining deepwater species under ex situ experimental conditions. Deep-sea organisms have evolved life strategies and physiological adaptations (e.g. slow metabolism and growth rates, high longevity, and late maturity) that allow them to succeed in the cold and generally food-limited deep-sea environment but that may partially impair their ability to physiologically compensate for and adapt to changes in climate. Therefore, a deeper understanding of species' biological and ecological traits, as well as their tolerance thresholds to single and cumulative climatic stressors (e.g. temperature and nutrition, pH and O2) is much needed. Most experiments to date have been conducted under short-term (i.e. acute) conditions, thereby hindering the mechanisms potentially involved in species resilience and acclimation. Studies addressing the impact of climate change on species gametogenesis, reproductive output, or larval development and physiology are also largely lacking. While efforts continue to build a knowledge base on the impacts over the physiological and ecological processes affecting individual species, it is also necessary to start to address the impacts that climate change will have on wider ecosystem functioning.

The deep ocean below 200 m water depth is the least observed, but largest habitat on our planet by volume and area. Over 150 years of exploration has revealed that this dynamic system provides critical climate regulation, houses a wealth of energy, mineral, and biological resources, and represents a vast repository of biological diversity. A long history of deep-ocean exploration and observation led to the initial concept for the Deep-Ocean Observing Strategy (DOOS), under the auspices of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). Here we discuss the scientific need for globally integrated deep-ocean observing, its status, and the key scientific questions and societal mandates driving observing requirements over the next decade. We consider the Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) needed to address deep-ocean challenges within the physical, biogeochemical, and biological/ecosystem sciences according to the Framework for Ocean Observing (FOO), and map these onto scientific questions. Opportunities for new and expanded synergies among deep-ocean stakeholders are discussed, including academic-industry partnerships with the oil and gas, mining, cable and fishing industries, the ocean exploration and mapping community, and biodiversity conservation initiatives. Future deep-ocean observing will benefit from the greater integration across traditional disciplines and sectors, achieved through demonstration projects and facilitated reuse and repurposing of existing deep-sea data efforts. We highlight examples of existing and emerging deep-sea methods and technologies, noting key challenges associated with data volume, preservation, standardization, and accessibility. Emerging technologies relevant to deep-ocean sustainability and the blue economy include novel genomics approaches, imaging technologies, and ultra-deep hydrographic measurements. Capacity building will be necessary to integrate capabilities into programs and projects at a global scale. Progress can be facilitated by Open Science and Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable (FAIR) data principles and converge on agreed to data standards, practices, vocabularies, and registries. We envision expansion of the deep-ocean observing community to embrace the participation of academia, industry, NGOs, national governments, international governmental organizations, and the public at large in order to unlock critical knowledge contained in the deep ocean over coming decades, and to realize the mutual benefits of thoughtful deep-ocean observing for all elements of a sustainable ocean.

The deep ocean below 200 m water depth is the least observed, but largest habitat on our planet by volume and area. Over 150 years of exploration has revealed that this dynamic system provides critical climate regulation, houses a wealth of energy, mineral, and biological resources, and represents a vast repository of biological diversity. A long history of deep-ocean exploration and observation led to the initial concept for the Deep-Ocean Observing Strategy (DOOS), under the auspices of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). Here we discuss the scientific need for globally integrated deep-ocean observing, its status, and the key scientific questions and societal mandates driving observing requirements over the next decade. We consider the Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) needed to address deep-ocean challenges within the physical, biogeochemical, and biological/ecosystem sciences according to the Framework for Ocean Observing (FOO), and map these onto scientific questions. Opportunities for new and expanded synergies among deep-ocean stakeholders are discussed, including academic-industry partnerships with the oil and gas, mining, cable and fishing industries, the ocean exploration and mapping community, and biodiversity conservation initiatives. Future deep-ocean observing will benefit from the greater integration across traditional disciplines and sectors, achieved through demonstration projects and facilitated reuse and repurposing of existing deep-sea data efforts. We highlight examples of existing and emerging deep-sea methods and technologies, noting key challenges associated with data volume, preservation, standardization, and accessibility. Emerging technologies relevant to deep-ocean sustainability and the blue economy include novel genomics approaches, imaging technologies, and ultra-deep hydrographic measurements. Capacity building will be necessary to integrate capabilities into programs and projects at a global scale. Progress can be facilitated by Open Science and Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable (FAIR) data principles and converge on agreed to data standards, practices, vocabularies, and registries. We envision expansion of the deep-ocean observing community to embrace the participation of academia, industry, NGOs, national governments, international governmental organizations, and the public at large in order to unlock critical knowledge contained in the deep ocean over coming decades, and to realize the mutual benefits of thoughtful deep-ocean observing for all elements of a sustainable ocean.

The deep ocean below 200 m water depth is the least observed, but largest habitat on our planet by volume and area. Over 150 years of exploration has revealed that this dynamic system provides critical climate regulation, houses a wealth of energy, mineral, and biological resources, and represents a vast repository of biological diversity. A long history of deep-ocean exploration and observation led to the initial concept for the Deep-Ocean Observing Strategy (DOOS), under the auspices of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). Here we discuss the scientific need for globally integrated deep-ocean observing, its status, and the key scientific questions and societal mandates driving observing requirements over the next decade. We consider the Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) needed to address deep-ocean challenges within the physical, biogeochemical, and biological/ecosystem sciences according to the Framework for Ocean Observing (FOO), and map these onto scientific questions. Opportunities for new and expanded synergies among deep-ocean stakeholders are discussed, including academic-industry partnerships with the oil and gas, mining, cable and fishing industries, the ocean exploration and mapping community, and biodiversity conservation initiatives. Future deep-ocean observing will benefit from the greater integration across traditional disciplines and sectors, achieved through demonstration projects and facilitated reuse and repurposing of existing deep-sea data efforts. We highlight examples of existing and emerging deep-sea methods and technologies, noting key challenges associated with data volume, preservation, standardization, and accessibility. Emerging technologies relevant to deep-ocean sustainability and the blue economy include novel genomics approaches, imaging technologies, and ultra-deep hydrographic measurements. Capacity building will be necessary to integrate capabilities into programs and projects at a global scale. Progress can be facilitated by Open Science and Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable (FAIR) data principles and converge on agreed to data standards, practices, vocabularies, and registries. We envision expansion of the deep-ocean observing community to embrace the participation of academia, industry, NGOs, national governments, international governmental organizations, and the public at large in order to unlock critical knowledge contained in the deep ocean over coming decades, and to realize the mutual benefits of thoughtful deep-ocean observing for all elements of a sustainable ocean.

ABSTRACT The ocean plays a crucial role in the functioning of the Earth System and in the provision of vital goods and services. The United Nations (UN) declared 2021–2030 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The Roadmap for the Ocean Decade aims to achieve six critical societal outcomes (SOs) by 2030, through the pursuit of four objectives (Os). It specifically recognizes the scarcity of biological data for deep-sea biomes, and challenges the global scientific community to conduct research to advance understanding of deep-sea ecosystems to inform sustainable management. In this paper, we map four key scientific questions identified by the academic community to the Ocean Decade SOs: (i) What is the diversity of life in the deep ocean? (ii) How are populations and habitats connected? (iii) What is the role of living organisms in ecosystem function and service provision? and (iv) How do species, communities, and ecosystems respond to disturbance? We then consider the design of a global-scale program to address these questions by reviewing key drivers of ecological pattern and process. We recommend using the following criteria to stratify a global survey design: biogeographic region, depth, horizontal distance, substrate type, high and low climate hazard, fished/unfished, near/far from sources of pollution, licensed/protected from industry activities. We consider both spatial and temporal surveys, and emphasize new biological data collection that prioritizes southern and polar latitudes, deeper ( > 2000 m) depths, and midwater environments. We provide guidance on observational, experimental, and monitoring needs for different benthic and pelagic ecosystems. We then review recent efforts to standardize biological data and specimen collection and archiving, making "sampling design to knowledge application" recommendations in the context of a new global program. We also review and comment on needs, and recommend actions, to develop capacity in deep-sea research; and the role of inclusivity ...