Deep water coral reef

• Ecological features:

  • deep so there is low light = low photosynthesis. Corals feed on zooplankton by stunning them - filter feeders
  • very saline
  • cold - 4 - 12 degrees C
  • high turbidity due to zooplankton and dead organic matter
• Importance:

  • habitat provision - support a large biomass of fish that are slow-growing o easily overexploited
  • oldest organism in the world
  • not much is known about them
• Threats:

  • global climate change - ocean acidification degrades the base structures, thermohaline currents change so less nutrients are delivered
  • fishing - dredging
  • underwater cables - fragmentation
  • mining - for oil and polymetallic modules
• Conservation efforts:

  • designated protected areas - 3.1 million acres
  • control of damaging activities - regulate dredging
• Example:

  • Rost Reef Norway
  • largest deep sea coral reef system in the world - 35 km
  • it is patrolled to protect it from trawling and mining