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Biodiversity of cold seep ecosystems along the European margins
Vanreusel, A.; Andersen, A.C.; Boetius, A.; Connelly, D.P.; Cunha, M.R.; Decker, C.; Hilario, A.; Kormas, K.A.; Maignien, L.; Olu, K.; Pachiadaki, M.; Ritt, B.; Rodrigues, C.F.; Sarrazin, J.; Tyler, P.A.; Van Gaever, S.; Vanneste, H. (2009). Biodiversity of cold seep ecosystems along the European margins. Oceanography 22(1): 110-127
In: Oceanography. Oceanography Society: Washington DC. ISSN 1042-8275
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open access 144530 [ download pdf ]
Keywords
    Biodiversity
    Ecosystems
    Hotspot
    Seeps
    ANE, Europe, European Continental Shelf [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Authors  Top 
  • Vanreusel, A.
  • Andersen, A.C.
  • Boetius, A.
  • Connelly, D.P.
  • Cunha, M.R.
  • Decker, C.
  • Hilario, A.
  • Kormas, K.A.
  • Maignien, L.
  • Olu, K.
  • Pachiadaki, M.
  • Ritt, B.
  • Rodrigues, C.F.
  • Sarrazin, J.
  • Tyler, P.A.
  • Van Gaever, S.
  • Vanneste, H.
Abstract
    During the European Commission’s Framework Six Programme, HERMES, we investigated three main areas along the European margin, each characterized by the presence of seep-related structures exhibiting different intensity of activity and biological diversity. These areas are: (1) the Nordic margin with the Håkon Mosby mud volcano and many pockmarks, (2) the Gulf of Cádiz, and (3) the eastern Mediterranean with its hundreds of mud volcanoes and brine pool structures. One of the main goals of the HERMES project was to unravel the biodiversity associated with these seep-associated ecosystems, and to understand their driving forces and functions, using an integrated approach. Several multidisciplinary research cruises to these three areas provided evidence of high variability in ecosystem processes and associated biodiversity at different spatial scales, illustrating the “hotspot” nature of these deep water systems.
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