DS002
Advancing Knowledge of the Atlantic Deep Sea: Exploring Biodiversity, Connectivity, and Ecosystem Function in Data-Poor Regions

Session ID#: 254040

Session Description:
Vast regions of the Atlantic deep sea remain poorly studied, limiting our understanding of biodiversity patterns, ecosystem connectivity, and the functions provided by deep-sea habitats. This session invites contributions that address priority knowledge gaps across the Atlantic basin, particularly in under-sampled areas.

In the South and Central Atlantic, gaps include the EEZs off northwest Africa (e.g., Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia), northeast South America (e.g., Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana), and oceanic islands such as São Tomé and Annobón. In the North Atlantic, large spatial gaps exist in Caribbean EEZs, Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, and sub-ocean basins such as the Cape Verde, Newfoundland, and North American basins. Benthic macro- and megafaunal records are notably scarce in these areas, especially below 500 m depth.

We welcome research that explores species and habitat distributions, population and ecosystem -connectivity, and the role of biodiversity in supporting ecosystem services. Studies employing molecular tools, artificial intelligence, and big data approaches are particularly encouraged. This session aims to highlight pressing science priorities for Atlantic deep-sea ecosystems and to stimulate collaborative research across geographic and disciplinary boundaries.

Co-Sponsor(s):
  • Marine Ecology and Biodiversity -
  • Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry -
Index Terms:

0410 Biodiversity [BIOGEOSCIENCES]
0456 Life in extreme environments [BIOGEOSCIENCES]
4815 Ecosystems, structure, dynamics, and modeling [OCEANOGRAPHY: BIOLOGICAL]
4858 Population dynamics and ecology [OCEANOGRAPHY: BIOLOGICAL]
Student/Early Career Chair:  Sinothando Shibe, South African National Parks, Cape Town, South Africa
Primary Chair:  Louise Allcock, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
Co-chairs:  Ana Belen Yanez, Memorial University Fisheries and Marine Institute, St John's, Canada and Kerry Howell, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, United Kingdom
 
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